# NTSB MIA85LA188: Piper PA-38-112, N2603C, Wabasso, FL, June 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1985, 12:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Wabasso, FL
- Coordinates: 27.750049, -80.450782 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7500&lon=-80.4508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A BEACH. THE PLT WAS ON A SOLO FLT TO PRACTICE MANEUVERS. HE STATED THAT WHEN PWR WAS REDUCED TO 1500 RPM IN PREPARATION FOR A STALL SERIES THE RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE TO APRX 1100. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN PWR AND THE FORCED LANDING ENSUED.EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A PWR LOSS. THE TEMP WAS 90 DEG F AND THE DEW POINT WAS 75 DEGS F WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2603C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2603C-2011-09-29), registration cancelled 2011-09-29, S/N 38-79A0254 (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: 3879A0254
- Airframe hours: 2960
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flight Safety Intl.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 23, 1985, 23 hours before
- Departed: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 11 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 19850611023909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850611023909A), Jun 11, 1985: Piper PA38112, Wabasso, FL, Substantial damage. Loss of power as student prepared to practice maneuvers. Landed on a beach and nosed over. Suspect carburetor ice.

## Other investigations on N2603C (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 MIA80FLD89](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FLD89), Aug 14, 1980: Piper PA-38 (N2603C), Vero Beach, FL, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.