# NTSB MIA88LA166: Piper PA-28-161, N8068J, Freeport, Bahamas, May 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1988, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Freeport, Bahamas
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA166

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent encounter with adverse weather.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that while on a VFR flight to Freeport, Bahamas, he flew in the proximity of a thunderstorm and encountered severe turbulence.  He continued on to Freeport and landed safely.  The next day, he flew the aircraft to Venice, Florida.  After landing in Venice, he discovered that the airplane was substantially damaged and had wrinkled skin on both wings.

No additional information is available.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that while on a VFR flight to Freeport, Bahamas, he flew in the proximity of a thunderstorm and encountered severe turbulence.  He continued on to Freeport and landed safely.  The next day, he flew the aircraft to Venice, Florida.  After landing in Venice, he discovered that the airplane was substantially damaged and had wrinkled skin on both wings.

No additional information is available.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8068J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8068J), registered now, S/N 28-8290084, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-8290084
- Airframe hours: 2780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Venice Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wareagle Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: VNC, VENICE, FL
- Destination: MYGF, FREEPORT, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 517 total, 400 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 90 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 19880504054519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880504054519A), May 4, 1988: Piper PA28181, Freeport, Bahamas, Substantial damage. Flew too close to a thunderstorm. Severe turbulence wrinkled wings. Completed trip and returned before noting damage

## Other investigations on N8068J (2)

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 LAX06CA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA272), Apr 8, 2006: Piper PA-28-181 (N8068J), Coalinga, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his inadequate recovery technique that led to a hard landing.
- [NTSB CHI93IA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93IA019), Oct 22, 1992: Piper PA-28-181 (N8068J), Chicago, IL, incident, no damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE MIDWAY ARSA CONTROLLER TO COORDINATE USE OF THE AIRSPACE WITH THE CHICAGO NORTH LOCAL CONTROLLER WHICH RESULTED IN AN OPERATIONAL DEVIATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE INCIDENT WAS…

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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