# NTSB MIA04CA106: Piper PA-28, N315PA, Okeechobee, FL, July 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 17, 2004, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Okeechobee, FL - Coordinates: 27.262777, -80.849723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2628&lon=-80.8497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59671/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA106 ## Probable cause Student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impacting a fence incurring substantial damage to the airplane. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence ## Analysis The student pilot was permitted to perform his first solo landing by his certified flight instructor (CFI). The landing was under control until the nose wheel touched the runway and the airplane suddenly swerved to the left. He attempted to correct by applying right rudder; however, it was ineffective. He retracted the flaps in an effort to transfer weight to the wheels. By this time the airplane had departed from the left side of the runway onto the grass and shortly after impacted with a fence. The student pilot's CFI stated he did not witness the airplane land, but did examine the markings on the runway and grass. To the CFI the student pilot landed between the first 600 to 700 feet of the runway. The markings were consistent with the indication of the left main wheel off the ground while the right main and the nose wheel stayed on the ground traveling in a left direction. The tracks in the grass infer to the airplane's left wing hit the fence first which caused the airplane to veer left, which led to the nose of the airplane and right wing to hit the fence. The CFI asked the student pilot if he applied any brakes, he said "no". The student pilot did not report mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2004, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28, N315PA, registered to Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. and operated by Pam Am International Flight Academy, impacted with a fence during landing at Okeechobee County Airport, Okeechobee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the St. Lucie County International Airport, Fort Pierce, Florida, earlier that day about 1130. The student pilot stated after performing several landings with his instructor he was permitted to perform his first solo landing. The final approach to landing was good until the nose wheel touched the runway. The airplane suddenly swerved to the left. He attempted to correct by applying right rudder; however, it was ineffective. He retracted the flaps in an effort to transfer weight to the wheels. By this time the airplane had departed from the left side of the runway onto the grass. The airplane's left wing impacted with a fence which caused the airplane to spin and the right wing struck the fence before coming to a full stop. The pilot did not report mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The student pilot's certified flight instructor (CFI) stated he did not witness the airplane land; in addition, he did examine the markings on the runway and grass. To the CFI the student pilot landed between the first 600 to 700 feet of the runway. The markings were consistent with the indication of the left main wheel off the ground while the right main and the nose wheel stayed on the ground traveling in a left direction. The tracks in the grass infer to the airplane's left wing hit the fence first which caused the airplane to veer left, which led to the nose of the airplane and right wing to hit the fence. The CFI asked the student pilot if he applied any brakes, he said "no". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N315PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315PA-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 2843510, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-43510 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pam Am International Flight Academy - Registered owner: Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: KFPR, Ft. Pierce, FL - Destination: KOBE, Okeechobee, FL - Airport: KOBE, Okeechobee County Airport, runway 23, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KFPR, 29 nm away ## 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 20040717018489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040717018489A), Jul 17, 2004: Piper PA28181, Okeechobee, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 17, 2004, at 1230EDT, a Piper PA-28-181, N315PA, owned by the merrill lynch business financial services, inc., and piloted by student pilot, vonn… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.