# NTSB MIA03CA026: Piper PA38, N2585B, Pensacola, FL, December 8, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 8, 2002, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Pensacola, FL
- Coordinates: 30.473333, -87.1875
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4733&lon=-87.1875&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 13, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03CA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03CA026

## Probable cause

The student pilot's attempt to turn off the runway at an excessive taxi speed  resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with a taxiway sign.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport sign/marker

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that he had completed landing flare, and during the landing rollout the airplane was moving a little fast. He said the FAA tower controller instructed him to "turn right at Taxiway D", and as he applied the brakes and attempted to comply, the airplane departed the taxiway and collided with a taxiway sign. The student further stated that prior to the accident there had not been any mechanical failure or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems.

## Factual narrative

On December 8, 2002, about 1650 central standard time, a Piper PA-38, N2585B, registered to and operated by Pensacola Aviation Limited LLC, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight ran off the taxiway after landing at Pensacola  Regional Airport, Pensacola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The student pilot was not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Monroeville, Alabama, the same day, about 1615.

The student pilot stated that he was returning from a solo cross-country flight, and had executed the landing flare touchdown, and subsequent rollout, but the airplane was moving a little fast. The student further stated that the FAA tower controller instructed him to "turn right at Taxiway D", and as he applied the brakes and attempted to comply, the airplane departed the taxiway and collided with a taxiway sign. As a result of the impact, there was damage to the airplane's fuselage and its right wing. The student said that prior to the accident there had not been any mechanical failure or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2585B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA38
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A
- Airframe hours: 3769
- Engines: Textron Lycoming O-235-L2C reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pensacola Aviation Limited LLC
- Registered owner: Pensacola Aviation Limited LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2002, 74 hours before
- Departed: MVC, Monroeville, AL
- Destination: PNS, Pensacola, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PNS, Pensacola Regional Airport, runway 35

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 25 total, 18 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20021208036189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021208036189A), Dec 8, 2002: Piper PA38112, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing student attempted to exit the runway at taxiway delta with excessive speed. Aircraft ground looped and struck a sign with the right wing.

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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