# NTSB MIA85FA002: Piper PA-38-112, N91353, Wauchula, FL, October 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1984, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Wauchula, FL
- Coordinates: 27.539836, -81.799293 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5398&lon=-81.7993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landed at wrong airport, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - not performed, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command
- Overrun, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT USED OUTDATED SECTIONAL CHART & LANDED AT AN OLD (CLOSED) AIRPORT, WHICH WAS NO LONGER MAINTAINED. ON DEPARTURE, USING SOFT FIELD PROCEDURES, ACFT DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY & BECAME AIRBORNE IN GROUND EFFECT AT MINIMAL SPEED. PLT DETERMINED ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR OBSTACLES AT END OF RUNWAY AND ABORTED TAKEOFF. ACFT OVERRAN ARPT SURFACE AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED FLAPS SET AT FULL DOWN, GRASS ON RUNWAY 10 TO 12 INCHES IN HEIGHT. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N91353 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3882A001
- Airframe hours: 901
- Engines: LYCOMING O-234-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tampa Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1984, 59 hours before
- Departed: WAUCHULA, FL
- Destination: TPF, TAMPA, FL
- Airport: Wauchula, runway 5, 2,650 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 2 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 40 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 19841004056639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841004056639A), Oct 4, 1984: Piper PA38112, Wauchula, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff from closed airport. High grass reduced acceleration. Hit ditch and crashed across road.

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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