# NTSB MIA88LA215: Piper PA-38-112, N2608F, Vero Beach, FL, July 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1988, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.639751, -80.389732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6398&lon=-80.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA215

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - holding(ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE INBOUND TO VERO BEACH, HE RAN OUT OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK. THE ENGINE QUIT, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE BEFORE HE CRASHED INTO A GROVE OF TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2608F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2608F-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 38-79A0493, built 1979 (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: 3879A0439
- Airframe hours: 5170
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Safety Int'L, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flight Safety International
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 3, 1988, 2 hours before
- Departed: X53, CLEWISTON, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 67 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 2 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 19880705025609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880705025609A), Jul 5, 1988: Piper PA38112, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry on approach. No time for restart on full tank. Landed between rows of citrus trees. Wing hit a tree.

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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