# NTSB MIA84LA066: Piper PA-28, N157DB, Plymouth, FL, January 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1984, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, FL
- Location: 28.7066° N, 81.5814° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ORLANDO APOPKA (X04), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7066&lon=-81.5814&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA066

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED HARD AT HIGHER THAN NORMAL AIRSPEED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE CAME IN'TOO HIGH AND TOO FAST'AND WHEN HE LANDED HE'BROKE THE NOSE WHEEL'. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT DID NOT POSSESS ANY AERONAUTICAL CERTIFICATES OR RATINGS. HE HAD APPLIED FOR A PILOT LICENSE BUT WAS DISQUALIFIED BECAUSE OF HIS CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITION AND USE OF DISQUALIFYING MEDICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N157DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N157DB-1993-09-30), registration cancelled 1993-09-30, S/N 287325141 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325141
- Airframe hours: 1858
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Floyd E. Pierce
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1983, 12 hours before
- Departed: LEE, LEESBURG, FL
- Airport: X04, Orlando North, runway 33, 3,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; seat: left; flight hours: 3 total, 3 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840124001819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840124001819A), Jan 24, 1984: Piper PA28140, Plymouth, FL, Substantial damage. Hard landing. Nose landing gear separated from aircraft on landing. No medical. Not rated. No CFI supervision.

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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