# NTSB MIA91LA015: Piper PA-28-140, N98077, Fort Myers, FL, October 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1990, 10:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.559818, -81.869895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5598&lon=-81.8699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA015

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE LANDING WITH SHIFTING GUSTY WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts
  - weather condition - crosswind
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aileron - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON RUNWAY 5 WITH WINDS REPORTED TO BE FROM 360 AT 8 KNOTS PILOT ENCOUNTER GUST FROM LEFT. LEFT WING WAS LIFTED AND RIGHT WING AND NOSE AREA OF AIRCRAFT STRUCK RUNWAY. WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 300 AT 12 KNOTS FOUR MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98077](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98077), registered now, S/N 28-26029, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26029
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sartain, Ernest P.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FMY, Pace Field, runway 5, 6,401 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY

## 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 19901025050199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901025050199A), Oct 25, 1990: Piper PA28140, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Wing gust lifted wing on crosswind landing. Other wing contacted the runway.

## Other investigations on N98077 (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 FTW76FPA29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FPA29), Jul 25, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N98077), Paris, TX, 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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