# NTSB MIA83LA085: Piper PA-28-161, N8445G, Lehigh Acres, FL, March 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1983, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Lehigh Acres, FL
- Coordinates: 26.599555, -81.629989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5996&lon=-81.6300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - precautionary landing - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper assistance - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - relinquishing of control - delayed, dual student (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

DURING A SIMULATED, ENGINE-OUT, EMERGENCY, THE STUDENT ELECTED TO MAKE AN APPROACH TO A PAVED ROAD. WHILE TURNING TO A FINAL APPROACH AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) OBSERVED POWER LINES IN THEIR PATH. THE CFI ADVISED THE STUDENT TO GO AROUND. THE STUDENT RAISED THE NOSE WITHOUT ADDING POWER AND THE ACFT BEGAN TO STALL. THE CFI IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE PLANE, BUT AT FIRST, THE STUDENT WOULD NOT RELINQUISH THE CONTROLS. THE CFI FINALLY RECOVERED FROM THE STALL. REPORTEDLY HE HAD TO FLY BENEATH THE POWER LINES. THE ACFT CLEARED UNDER THE POWER LINES, BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK AN 8 FT STREET SIGN. THE OUTBOARD 4 FT OF THE WING SEPARATED AND THE PLANE CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8445G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8445G), registered now, S/N 28-8216017 (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: 28-8216017
- Airframe hours: 643
- Engines: LYCOMING O-230-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Skyline Motors Avia. Serv. Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 1983, 43 hours before
- Departed: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 947 total, 48 in this make and model, 755 as pilot in command, 318 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 15 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 19830302008339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830302008339A), Mar 2, 1983: Piper PA28161, Lehigh Acres, FL, Substantial damage. Allowed student to get too low on practice forced landing. Student froze on controls. Wing was severed on road sign.

## Other investigations on N8445G (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA90LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA054), Jan 15, 1990: Piper PA-28-161 (N8445G), Immokalee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

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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