# NTSB MIA88LA038: Piper PA-28RT-201, N539FT, Melbourne, FL, November 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1987, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Coordinates: 28.079145, -80.600364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0791&lon=-80.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, dual student (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT WHILE PRACTICING ACCURACY TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, THE STUDENT PLT FLARED THE ACFT FOR LANDING AT LOW ALTITUDE, APRX 45-60 FEET FROM THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT LANDED HARD SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AS A RESULT THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N539FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N539FT-1989-03-24), registration cancelled 1989-03-24, S/N 28R8218023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R8218023
- Airframe hours: 3234
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fla. Institute Of Technology
- Registered owner: Florida Inst. Of Tech.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1987, 34 hours before
- Airport: MLB, Melbourne, runway 9L, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,380 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,236 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °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 19871116081879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871116081879A), Nov 16, 1987: Piper PA28RT201, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. CFI allowed student to flare and land short of the runway. Impact severed the landing gear. Aircraft slid to a stop

## Other investigations on N539FT (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA87IA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87IA134), Apr 16, 1987: Piper PA-28RT-201 (N539FT), Grant, FL, incident, minor damage

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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