# NTSB MIA87FA203: Rockwell 112A, N1440J, Vero Beach, FL, July 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1987, 16:28 local (20:28 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.640962, -80.389984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6410&lon=-80.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA203

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKE-OFF, THE RT WING OF THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND ABOUT 1500 FT DOWN THE NORTH-SOUTH RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS RT WING HEAVY AND OPPOSITE AILERON HAD NO EFFECT. SURFACE WINDS AT VERO BEACH, ABOUT 8 MILES EAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE 090 DEGS AT 11 KNTS. THE ACFT WAS TAKING OFF TO THE SOUTH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1440J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell 112A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 440
- Airframe hours: 2010
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert H. Davis,Jr.
- Registered owner: Robert H Davis, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: X52
- Destination: OPF, OPA LOCKA, FL
- Airport: New Hibiscus, runway 18, 3,300 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,615 total, 1,420 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 8 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 19870710037439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870710037439A), Jul 10, 1987: Gulstm 112A, Vero Beach, FL, Destroyed. Lost directional control on takeoff. Wing hit ground. Hit a tree. Burst into flames. Cartwheeled. Became inverted.

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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