# NTSB MIA88LA031: Piper PA-28-161, N82811, St. Petersburg, FL, November 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1987, 21:52 local (Nov 10, 1987, 02:52 UTC)
- Place: St. Petersburg, FL
- Coordinates: 27.769716, -82.629692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7697&lon=-82.6297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment,receiver - not switched (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PLT, FAMILIAR WITH THE ARPT, OVERFLEW IT 2 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO ACTIVATE THE RWY LIGHTS USING THE ACFT'S RADIO AS WELL AS TO OBSERVE THE WIND SOCK. AFTER OBSERVING A NORTHERLY WIND & BEING UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE LIGHTS HE ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 36 RATHER THAN DIVERT TO ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTL ARPT. THE ACFT FLOATED OVER THE NUMBERS, TOUCHED DOWN APRX 528 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, & AS IT APPROACHED THE SEAWALL, HE APPLIED FULL UP ELEVATOR. THE ACFT THEN BECAME AIRBORNE MOMENTARILY, FLEW OVER THE SEAWALL AND LANDED IN TAMPA BAY IN APRX 18 FEET OF WATER. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE OBSERVED THE WINDS TO BE FROM THE SOUTH. THE RWY LIGHTS WERE CHECKED BY FAA PERSONNEL TO INSURE THAT THEY COULD BE ACTIVATED BY USING THE UNICOM FREQUENCY 122.95, & FOUND TO OPERATE SATISFACTORY. A NOTE FOUND BY POLICE IN THE WRECKAGE READ 'LIGHTS 121.95.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82811](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82811-1992-12-04), registration cancelled 1992-12-04, S/N 288316003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8316003
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bay Air Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LNA, PALM BEACH, FL
- Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted, runway 36, 2,801 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 30 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPG

## 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 19871109063499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871109063499A), Nov 9, 1987: Piper PA28161, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Touched down downwind on a unlighted runway. Ballooned over a seawall at end of runway and landed in tampa bay.

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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