# NTSB MIA88LA061: Piper PA-18-150, N80BJ, Fellsmere, FL, December 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1987, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Fellsmere, FL
- Coordinates: 27.759796, -80.589004 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7598&lon=-80.5890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A BUSINESS FLT OVER THE COMPANY'S PROPERTY THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND THE ACFT ON A 40 FOOT WIDE DIRT ROAD. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, DUE IN PART, TO A CROSSWIND. THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80BJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80BJ), registered now, S/N 18-7709191, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187709191
- Airframe hours: 3215
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Fellsmere Joint Venture
- Registered owner: Fellsmere Joint Venture
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 25, 1987, 18 hours before
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 814 total, 680 in this make and model, 741 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 21 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 19871212082199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871212082199A), Dec 12, 1987: Piper PA18150, Fellsmere, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot chose to land on dirt road. Ballooned on landing. Crosswind blew plane off road. Hit a tree. Stopped upright.

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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