# NTSB MIA88FA191: Piper PA-38-112, N2387T, Vero Beach, FL, June 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1988, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Location: 27.6556° N, 80.4180° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at VERO BEACH RGNL (VRB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6556&lon=-80.4180&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA191

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE 25 YR OLD STUDENT PLT WAS PRACTICING TAKE-OFFS & LDGS ON RWY 11L IN PREPARATION FOR HIS PVT PLT FLT TEST. WHEN HE DEPARTED, ABOUT 1.9 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDS WERE 090 DEGS AT 13 KNTS. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE WINDS HAD INCREASED TO 18 KNTS WITH TURBULENCE. THE STUDENT PLT HAD REQUIRED EXTRA INSTRUCTION IN THE AREA OF X-WIND LDGS PREVIOUSLY. HE STATED HE WAS USING RUDDER ONLY TO CORRECT FOR DRIFT & DID NOT USE AILERON AS HE WAS AFRAID HE WOULD DRAG A WING. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AN ERRATIC FINAL, LOSING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TOUCHDOWN & DEPARTING THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN FLIPPED OVER TO AN INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2387T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2387T-2011-08-29), registration cancelled 2011-08-29, S/N 38-78A0786, 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: 78A0786
- Airframe hours: 3931
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flight Safety, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 2, 1988, 28 hours before
- Departed: VRB
- Airport: VRB, Vero Beach, runway 11L, 2,650 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 72 in this make and model, 72 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB

## 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 19880614020109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880614020109A), Jun 14, 1988: Piper PA38112, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Student allowed aircraft to drift off runway on liftoff. Nosed down hit soft sand and nosed over.

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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