# NTSB MIA86LA246: Piper PA-38, N938SC, Palmetto, FL, September 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1986, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Palmetto, FL
- Location: 27.5251° N, 82.5750° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palmetto, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5251&lon=-82.5750&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): 31702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA246

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CFI WAS DEMONSTRATING A SIMULATED SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF ON A GRASS AIRSTRIP TO HIS STUDENT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PLT STATED THE ACFT WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY, BUT AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AT THE END OF THE RWY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE ACFT WAS DETERMINED TO BE 29 LBS OVER GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N938SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N938SC-1994-09-15), registration cancelled 1994-09-15, S/N 3878A0541 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0541
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gulf Flite Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 1986, 93 hours before
- Departed: 48X
- Airport: Manatee, runway 7, 2,300 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 760 total, 108 in this make and model, 670 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 16 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 19860904044609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860904044609A), Sep 4, 1986: Piper PA38112, Palmetto, FL, Substantial damage. Demonstrating a short field takeoff. The landing gear struck a fence at end of runway. Landed straight ahead.

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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