# NTSB MIA08CA069: Piper PA-28-161, N9204L, Vero Beach, FL, February 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 29, 2008, 10:53 local (14:53 UTC) - Place: Vero Beach, FL - Coordinates: 27.659166, -80.418891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6592&lon=-80.4189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 67593 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67593/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA069 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff. ## 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) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: 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 The student pilot's instructor briefed and reviewed with the student several operational issues, including crosswind components limitations, before the accident flight, which was to be a solo cross country flight. The student pilot stated, as he aligned on the runway he noted the wind direction and deflected the ailerons accordingly. During the takeoff roll, approximately 36 knots on the airspeed indicator, the left wing suddenly lifted off the ground and the airplane tilted to the left. He elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane continued rolling to the left towards the grass. The right wing hit a distance marker on the left side of the runway, which was 2,000 feet down the runway. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The student pilot's instructor briefed and reviewed with the student several operational issues, including crosswind component limitations, before the accident flight, which was to be a solo cross country flight. The student pilot stated that he taxied on the runway lining up with the center line. He noted wind direction and deflected the ailerons accordingly. He began the takeoff roll and at approximately 36 knots, indicated on the airspeed indicator, the left wing suddenly lifted off the ground and the airplane tilted to the left. At that moment, he reduced engine power to idle to abort the takeoff. The airplane continued rolling to the left towards the grass. The right wing hit a distance marker on the side of the runway. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The responding FAA inspector stated that student pilot lost directional control of the airplane, which veered off the left side of the runway and impacted a distance marker about the 2,000 feet down the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9204L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9204L-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 2841004, built 1988 (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: 2841004 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Flight Safety Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: KVRB, Vero Beach, FL - Destination: KSGJ, St. Augustine, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KVRB, Vero Beach Municipal Airport, runway 11R, 7,314 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; flight hours: 116 total, 116 in this make and model, 63 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: KVRB ## 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 20080229838669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080229838669A), Feb 29, 2008: Piper PA28161, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 29, 2008, at 1140 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N9204, experienced the loss of dierctional control, immediately after an… 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.