# NTSB MIA89LA068: Piper PA-38-112, N2439B, Terra Ceia, FL, January 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1989, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Terra Ceia, FL
- Location: 27.5795° N, 82.5804° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Terra Ceia, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5795&lon=-82.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA068

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TAILWIND CONDITIONS DURING THE LANDING AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE DITCH TO THE SELECTED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT STATED THAT DURING A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT, HE HEARD UNUSUAL SOUNDS, BUT THERE WAS NO ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A SOD FIELD. AFTER LANDING WITH A TAILWIND, HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT BEFORE IT CONTINUED INTO A DITCH & WAS DAMAGED. COMPANY PERSONNEL WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PREIMPACT PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2439B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2439B-1995-09-07), registration cancelled 1995-09-07, S/N 3879A0062 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0062
- Airframe hours: 4601
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Leasing, Inc., doing business as Kitty Hawk Flight School
- Registered owner: Abbott, Carl R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: FLL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 61 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 14 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 19890112013579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890112013579A), Jan 12, 1989: Piper PA38112, Terra Ceia, FL, Substantial damage. Off course on crosscountry training flight. Unusual sound in aircraft. Landing in a field, ran into ditch.

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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