# NTSB MIA88LA193: Piper PA-32R-301T, N4379A, Lake Wales, FL, June 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1988, 20:30 local (Jun 16, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Wales, FL
- Coordinates: 27.90092, -81.579811 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9009&lon=-81.5798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA193

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - runway light
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - previous damage (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE GRASS STRIP, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND WINGTIP COLLIDED WITH RUNWAY LIGHTS & A FENCEPOST. THE ACFT WAS SLOW TO CLIMB. AFTER CLEARING TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, THE ACFT DESCENDED BELOW TREETOP LEVEL, THEN CONTINUED TO THE INTENDED DESTINATION. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED TREE TWIGS EMBEDDED IN SECTIONS OF THE TAIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4379A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4379A-2008-01-28), registration cancelled 2008-01-28, S/N 32R-8529013, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8529013
- Airframe hours: 392
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Roy V
- Registered owner: Smith, Roy V.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 1987, 74 hours before
- Destination: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL
- Airport: X25, Chalet Suzanne Air Strip, runway 36, 2,450 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 720 total, 120 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 22 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 19880615021219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880615021219A), Jun 15, 1988: Piper PA32R301T, Lake Wales, FL, Substantial damage. Struck a runway light and wing tip on takeoff. Continlued flight. Unsafe gear light on. Gear collapsed on landing.

## Other investigations on N4379A (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 SEA07LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA092), Apr 6, 2007: Piper PA-32R-301T (N4379A), Lincoln, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight fire occurred during the initial climb as a result of the aviation maintenance technician's failure to sufficiently tighten the b-nut that was found disconnected post-accident. A…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.