# NTSB MIA83LA191: Piper PA-38-112, N9945T, St. Augustine, FL, July 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1983, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.890727, -81.309143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8907&lon=-81.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA191

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT STATED THAT JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ENG BEGAN MISFIRING & LOST POWER. AT THAT POINT, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING TO STOP, SO AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF. THE ACFT DID NOT CLEAR CORN AT THE END OF THE 2000 FT STRIP. IT CAME TO REST IN THE CORN FIELD WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES THAT WOULD CAUSE A POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9945T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9945T-1984-12-11), registration cancelled 1984-12-11, S/N 38-78A0256 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0256
- Airframe hours: 2423
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero Sport Flight Center Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 1983, 75 hours before
- Airport: Tillis, runway 18, 2,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 4,171 total, 603 in this make and model, 175 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 30 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 19830727035799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830727035799A), Jul 27, 1983: Piper PA38112, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine misfired after takeoff. No discrepancies found.

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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