# NTSB ATL98LA096: Piper PA-28R-201, N1493H, Vero Beach, FL, July 10, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1998, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Location: 27.6556° N, 80.4180° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at VERO BEACH RGNL (VRB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6556&lon=-80.4180&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA096

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - 1 engine
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command

## Analysis

According to the operator, one pilot was receiving instruction to be a certified flight instructor (CFI), and was operating the flight controls. He requested an option takeoff from the tower, to accomplish a simulated engine failure on takeoff, with a landing straight ahead on the departure runway, runway 22. About 50 to 100 feet above the ground, he reduced the throttle to initiate the simulated engine malfunction. When the airplane was flared for the simulated emergency landing, a high sink rate was not arrested, and the airplane collided with the runway. The airplane came to rest in the intersection of runway 22 and 29.

## Factual narrative

On July 10, 1998, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-201, N1493H, collided with the runway during takeoff at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Vero Beach, Florida. The airplane was operated by FlightSafety International, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the local, instructional flight. The commercial flight instructor and the commercial pilot under instruction were not injured, however the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the operator, one pilot was receiving instruction to be a certified flight instructor (CFI), and was operating the flight controls. He requested an option takeoff from the tower, to accomplish a simulated engine failure on takeoff, with a landing straight ahead on the departure runway, runway 22. About 50 to 100 feet above the ground, he reduced the throttle to initiate the simulated engine malfunction. When the airplane was flared for the simulated emergency landing, a high sink rate was not arrested, and the airplane collided with the runway. The airplane came to rest in the intersection of runway 22 and 29.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1493H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1493H-2002-07-27), registration cancelled 2002-07-27, S/N 28R-7737004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7737004
- Airframe hours: 44373
- Engines: Lycoming IO 360-C1-C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flightsafety Intl, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 22, 1998, 26 hours before
- Departed: VRB
- Airport: VRB, Vero Beach Muni Airport, runway 22, 4,975 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 320 total, 7 in this make and model, 244 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19980710021169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980710021169A), Jul 10, 1998: Piper PA28R201, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. According to the operator, one pilot was receiving instruction to be a certified flight instructor (CFI), and was operating the flight controls. He requested…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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