# NTSB MIA88LA271: Piper PA-28, N722TC, Lake Wales, FL, September 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1988, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Wales, FL
- Coordinates: 27.90055, -81.580329 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9005&lon=-81.5803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA271

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE APPROACHED THE 2,450 FT GRASS AIRSTRIP FROM THE NE & CIRCLED NORTH OF IT TO OBSERVE THE WINDSOCK. THE WIND APPEARED TO BE FROM THE EAST. THE PILOT ENTERED THE PATTERN TO LAND ON RWY 36. WHILE FLARING TO LAND THE ACFT FLOATED DOWN THE RWY & TOUCHED DOWN AT MIDFIELD. THE PLT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT BEFORE IT WENT OFF THE END & COLLIDED WITH A RWY LIGHT & FENCE. HE FURTHER STATED A GO-AROUND WAS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING. AFTER EXITING THE ACFT THE PLT FURTHER STATED THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH AT 10-15 KNOTS. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER OF THE AIRSTRIP, THE PLT LANDED WITH A 10-15 KNOT TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N722TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N722TC), registered now, S/N 28-7990127, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- 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: 28-7990127
- Airframe hours: 4965
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tilcon Enterprises
- Registered owner: Tilcon Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: VRB, VERO BEACH, 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 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 446 total, 396 in this make and model, 369 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOW, 9 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 19880904046389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880904046389A), Sep 4, 1988: Piper PA28181, Lakes Wales, FL, Substantial damage. Landed downwind on short grass strip. Ran off end down embankment and struck a fence before stopping.

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.