# NTSB MIA82IA082: Piper PA-44, N257ER, Daytona Beach, FL, March 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1982, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Daytona Beach, FL
- Location: 29.2108° N, 81.0228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Daytona Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2108&lon=-81.0228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82IA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82IA082

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command(cfi)

## Analysis

WHILE DEMONSTRATING A SHORT FIELD LANDING IN STRONG CROSSWINDS THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A HIGH SINK RATE WHEN CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND TOUCHED DOWN HARDER THAN NORMAL. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR BROKE FREE FROM THE AIRPLANE AND THE INSTRUCTOR WAS ABLE TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND WITH THE GEAR HANGING BY THE BRAKE LINE. DURING EMERGENCY PROCEDURE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMPANY, THE GEAR BROKE FREE AND IT FELL INTO A WOODED AREA. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE AT DAYTONA BEACH, AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN THE GRASS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE STRUT OUTER BARREL REVEALED AN AREA OF FATIGUE HALF WAY THROUGH THE WALL DIAMETER AT THE POINT WHERE THE TRUNNION WEB JOINS THE BARREL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N257ER (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8195002
- Airframe hours: 1799
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1AD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ
- Registered owner: Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ
- Departed: DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Destination: DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 34J, New Smyrna Beach, runway 29, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,857 total, 748 in this make and model, 1,682 as pilot in command, 201 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 165 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 9 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).

- [Incident 19820324014659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820324014659I), Mar 24, 1982: Piper PA44180, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Minor damage. Student pilot made hard landing, instructor failed to correct. Fatigue crack found in trunnion below web.

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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