# NTSB MIA89LA250: Piper PA-38-112, N91344, Fernandina Bch, FL, September 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1989, 19:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Fernandina Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 30.649465, -81.439781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6495&lon=-81.4398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA250

## Probable cause

THE PRIVATE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH,  WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/MUSH. THE TURBULENCE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

AS A STUDENT PLT WAS PREPARING TO FLY, HE INVITED A PVT PLT TO ACCOMPANY HIM & THE PVT PLT ACCEPTED THE OFFER.  THEY FLEW TO ANOTHER ARPT IN THE AREA TO PRACTICE TOUGH-&-GO LANDINGS.  WHILE PRACTICING LANDINGS, THEY NOTED THE WIND WAS 'BOUNCING' THE ACFT.  AS THE PVT PLT WAS MAKING AN APCH TO LAND, THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE, RAPIDLY.  THE PVT PLT APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 70 FT SHORT OF THE RWY BEFORE HE STOPPED THE DSCNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91344](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91344-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N 38-82A0010, built 1981 (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: 38-82A0010
- Airframe hours: 3345
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Shields Aviation
- Registered owner: Shields Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 7, 1989, 61 hours before
- Departed: CRG, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Airport: 55J, Fernandina Beach Muni, runway 13, 4,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 140 total, 18 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX, 13 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 19890915035199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890915035199A), Sep 15, 1989: Piper PA38112, Fernandina Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Student pilot invited private pilot student to go along and make a landing. Caught downdraft crashed on short final

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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