# NTSB MIA89LA130: North American SNJ-5, N15HB, Lakeland, FL, April 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1989, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Coordinates: 28.039304, -81.899627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0393&lon=-81.8996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA130

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO EXPEDITE HIS TAXI IN ORDER TO EXIT THE RUNWAY. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, IT GROUND LOOPED, & THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15HB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15HB), registered now, S/N 51952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 91952
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hatchell, Thomas R
- Registered owner: Thomas R Hatchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1989, 20 hours before
- Airport: LAL, Lakeland Muni, runway 27, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,420 total, 260 in this make and model, 1,418 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL

## 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 19890413007869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890413007869A), Apr 13, 1989: Namer SNJ5, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was trying to expedite taxi to exit runway. Lost control and ground looped damaging a wing.

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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