# NTSB MIA89LA143: Piper PA-38-112, N9306T, Palmetto, FL, May 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1989, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Palmetto, FL
- Location: 27.6426° N, 82.5199° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MANATEE (48X), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6426&lon=-82.5199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA143

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR LANDING ALONG WITH FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER POINT OF TOUCHDOWN AND THE FAILURE TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING DUE TO PLT REPORTED RADIO FAILURE, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND WITH A RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A FIELD 750 FT PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE INTENDED RWY, TRAVELLED ABOUT 800 FT, THEN NOSED OVER AFTER TRAVELLING INTO A DITCH. THE RADIO OPERATIONALLY CHECKED GOOD. THERE WAS NO FAILURE NOR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9306T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9306T-1991-08-09), registration cancelled 1991-08-09, S/N 3878A0016 (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: 38-78A0016
- Airframe hours: 3182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vandenberg Airport, Inc.
- Registered owner: Vandenberg Airport, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 24, 1989, 58 hours before
- Departed: PGD, PUNTA GORDA, FL
- Destination: X16, TAMPA, FL
- Airport: 48X, Manatee, runway 7, 3,200 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 167 total, 89 in this make and model, 111 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19890501010599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890501010599A), May 1, 1989: Piper PA38112, Palmetto, FL, Substantial damage. Tuned to wrong tower frequency,elected to land at a no tower airport. Landed downwind beyond runway and nosed over.

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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