# NTSB MIA86LA178: Piper PA-38-112, N2378D, Vero Beach, FL, June 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1986, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.639337, -80.389869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6393&lon=-80.3899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31651/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING A PRACTICE SOFT-FIELD TAKEOFF FROM RWY 18. JUST PRIOR TO ROTATION THE MAIN GEAR CONTACTED A BUMP IN THE AIRSTRIP AND THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. THE ACFT CONTINUED LEFT WHERE IT STRUCK TREES ALONGSIDE THE RWY. THE SURFACE WINDS AT THE APRX TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED AF 130 DEGS AT 16 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS. THE PLT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADVISED BY HIS CFI THAT STUDENT PLTS WERE NOT PERMITTED TO CONDUCT SOLO OPERATIONS FROM THAT ARPT DUE TO THE ROUGH TURF RWYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2378D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2378D-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 38-79A0288, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0288
- Airframe hours: 3793
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Saftey, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 19, 1986
- Departed: X26, SEBASTIAN, FL
- Destination: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Airport: New Hibiscus, runway 18, 3,300 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 16 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 7 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 19860611029499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860611029499A), Jun 11, 1986: Piper PA38112, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Student pilot allowed aircraft to become airborne prematurely and it drifted into trees and crashed.

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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