# NTSB ERA13CA307: Piper PA-28-161, N614FT, Okeechobee, FL, June 28, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 28, 2013, 08:37 local (12:37 UTC)
- Place: Okeechobee, FL
- Coordinates: 27.268054, -80.841941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2681&lon=-80.8419&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA307
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87331/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87331
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA307

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a go-around.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

In preparation for landing during a solo cross country flight, the pilot configured the airplane with full flaps and reduced engine power nearly to idle. On landing, the airplane touched down hard and bounced. After electing to perform a go-around, the pilot retracted one notch of flaps and added full power, but the airplane did not climb. While in flight the airplane turned left, departed the runway and continued through a fence until it impacted a palm tree, flipped over and came to rest resulting in substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded this operation.

## Factual narrative

In preparation for landing during a solo cross country flight, the pilot configured the airplane with full flaps and reduced engine power nearly to idle. On landing, the airplane touched down hard and bounced. After electing to perform a go-around, the pilot retracted one notch of flaps and added full power, but the airplane did not climb. While in flight the airplane turned left, departed the runway and continued through a fence until it impacted a palm tree, flipped over and came to rest resulting in substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded this operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N614FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N614FT-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 2841237, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2841237
- Airframe hours: 18200
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pan Am Ab Initio Inc.
- Registered owner: Aviation Estate International Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 2013, 45 hours before
- Departed: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Destination: OBE, Okeechobee, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: OBE, Okeechobee County, runway 23, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 22, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OBE

## 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 20130628011119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130628011119A), Jun 28, 2013: Piper PA-28-161, Okeechobee, FL, Substantial damage. Student pilot experienced hard landing at obe on touchdown runway 23. Student pilot attempted go around with full flaps. Student pilot failed to maintain…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87331. 9.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397009&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397010&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - Witness (item 4, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397012&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Witness-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 5, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Picture of Airplane at Accident Site (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Picture of Airplane Left Wing at Accident Site (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20Left%20Wing%20at%20Accident%20Site%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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