# NTSB MIA91FA160: Piper PA38-112, N2549A, South Port, FL, June 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1991, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: South Port, FL
- Coordinates: 30.359779, -85.649635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3598&lon=-85.6496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91FA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA160

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE ALTITUDE RESULTING IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH ELECTRICAL LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

FLIGHT COLLIDED WITH TOP WIRES OF ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES WHICH CROSSED A LAKE. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT, FLIGHT CONTROLS, AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE PRECRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT OPERATING IN A DESIGNATED PRACTICE AREA 15 MILES NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2549A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2549A-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N 3878A0750 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0750
- Airframe hours: 3557
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bay Aviation
- Registered owner: Bay Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1991, 44 hours before
- Departed: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17 total, 16 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PFN, 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 19910605020129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910605020129A), Jun 5, 1991: Piper PA38112, South Port, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck wires over a lake then fell into lake. Flight of 3 trainers observed in area tree top level. Others returned

## Other investigations on N2549A (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC70FCD33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70FCD33), May 30, 1970: Piper PA-22 (N2549A), Atlantic, IA, substantial damage

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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