# NTSB MIA88LA051: Piper PA-38-112, N2405F, San Antonio, FL, December 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1987, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, FL
- Coordinates: 28.330297, -82.269447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3303&lon=-82.2694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT BECAME LOST WHILE ON A SOLO X-C TRAINING FLT. HE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT HIS NON CONTROL TOWER DESTINATION AIRPORT VIA UNICOM. HE STATED THAT HE FLEW AROUND FOR 20 OR 25 MINS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE UNICOM CONTACT & WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN DOING SO. HE THEN ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD WHERE THE ACFT FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE STUDENT STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED TRAINING IN LOST PROCEDURES & KNEW HOW TO CONTACT ST. PETERSBURG FSS, THE NEAREST FACILITY TO HIM, BUT HE FAILED TO DO SO. THE STUDENT PLT COULD OFFER NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY HE DID NOT CONTACT THEM OR SOME OTHER FACILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2405F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2405F-2011-08-26), registration cancelled 2011-08-26, S/N 38-79A0420, 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: 79A0420
- Airframe hours: 4226
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Safety Internat'L, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flt Safety International, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 12, 1986, 2 hours before
- Departed: OMN, ORMOND BEACH, FL
- Destination: X05, BROOKSVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 61 total, 61 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 27 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 19871202070489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871202070489A), Dec 2, 1987: Piper PA38112, San Antonio, FL, Substantial damage. Unable to locate the next airport on a solo crosscountry. Landed in a field and nosed over into a pond.

## Other investigations on N2405F (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 MIA80FLD92](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FLD92), Aug 26, 1980: Piper PA-38 (N2405F), Ft.Pierce, FL, substantial 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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