# NTSB MIA87LA016: Piper PA-28, N242FT, Melbourne, FL, October 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1986, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Coordinates: 28.079813, -80.599929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0798&lon=-80.5999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING HER 1ST SOLO LDG WHEN THE ACFT BEGAN TO BALLOON & PORPOISE. THE ACFT HIT THE RWY ON THE NOSE & PROP THEN CAME TO REST BESIDE THE RWY. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD 'GOT AWAY FROM HER'. THE PLT STATED THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF SHE HAD FOLLOWED HER 1ST REACTION & HAD GONE AROUND INSTEAD OF TRYING TO SALVAGE THE LDG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N242FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N242FT-2014-01-07), registration cancelled 2014-01-07, S/N 28-8216201, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8216201
- Airframe hours: 3111
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Florida Institute Of Tech.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 24, 1986, 11 hours before
- Airport: MLB, Melbourne, runway 4, 3,002 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB

## 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 19861030080599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861030080599A), Oct 30, 1986: Piper PA28161, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. The student porpoised the aircraft on landing, impacting the runway with the propeller.

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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