# NTSB MIA01LA034: Piper PA-28-161, N617FT, Melbourne, FL, November 30, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 2000, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Coordinates: 28.080181, -80.600395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0802&lon=-80.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50697/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA034

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain a visual look out while transitioning from the active runway to a taxiway resulting in an on-ground collision with a taxiway sign.

## Analysis

The student pilot was transitioning from the active runway to the taxiway on landing rollout and collided with a taxiway sign.

## Factual narrative

On November 30, 2000, at about 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N617FT, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with a taxiway sign while clearing the active runway at Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Pahokee, Florida, about 1 hour before the accident.

The student pilot stated he landed on runway 4, and was instructed to turn off on taxiway "R" and to contact ground. He applied brakes to slow down and to initiate his turn to the taxiway. As he proceeded further in the turn he realized he was approaching the grass medium in-between runway 4 and "c" taxiway. He applied full brakes and the left wing collided with the taxiway sign located in the grass median.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N617FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N617FT-2024-03-25), registration cancelled 2024-03-25, S/N 28-8316090, built 1983 (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: 8316090
- Airframe hours: 10569
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Florida Inst Of Technology
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 2000, 30 hours before
- Departed: PHK, PAHOKEE, FL
- Destination: MLB
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: runway 4, 3,001 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB

## 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 20001130041649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001130041649A), Nov 30, 2000: Piper PA28161, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing on runway 4 at Melbourne international airport (mlb) the student pilot was instructed by the control tower to turn right on taxiway romeo.…

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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