# NTSB MIA90LA104: Piper PA-44-180, N109SA, Stuart, FL, April 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1990, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Location: 27.1817° N, 80.2213° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WITHAM FLD (SUA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1817&lon=-80.2213&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 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA104

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT THE LOSS OF AIRSPEED RESULTING FROM THE STUDENT'S INCORRECT CONTROL INPUT WHILE ON APPROACH TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - aircraft control - improper, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT STATED THAT DURING A SHORT FIELD LANDING, THE STUDENT RAISED THE ACFT'S NOSE ON SHORT FINAL AT AN INDICATED AIRSPEED OF ABOUT 75 KTS. THE INSTRUCTOR LOWERED THE NOSE & GAVE CONTROL BACK TO HIM. THE STUDENT AGAIN RAISED THE NOSE, BUT DUE TO THE ALTITUDE & AIRSPEED, THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD THE STUDENT TO GO-AROUND. THE STUDENT RETARDED THE THROTTLE & THE INSTRUCTOR THEN APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT HE ACFT STALLED, DESCENDED RGT WING LOW & CRASHED ON THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N109SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N109SA-2008-07-08), registration cancelled 2008-07-08, S/N 447995233, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (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: 447995233
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: SUA, Witham Field, runway 33, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,500 total, 800 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PBI, 31 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 19900412035299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900412035299A), Apr 12, 1990: Piper PA44180, Stuart, FL, Substantial damage. During short field landing student retarded throttle when told to go around. Stalled, crashed on runway.

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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