# NTSB MIA91LA026: Piper PA-38-112, N25109, Fort Pierce, FL, November 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1990, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4256° N, 80.3404° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Pierce, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4256&lon=-80.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA026

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT DECISION OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO ALLOW THE STUDENT TO TAKEOFF FROM THE SOFT GRASS RUNWAY AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE CFI STATED THAT HE ALLOWED THE STUDENT TO TAKEOFF FROM THE 2,500 FT GRASS RWY. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THERE WAS A DISAGREEMENT ON THE CORRECT PROCEDURE & THE PLT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK WAS CONSULTED. DURING THE GROUND ROLL ABOUT 1/2 WAY DOWN THE RWY, HE CONSIDERED ABORTING THE TAKEOFF BECAUSE THE ACFT WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE BUT DID NOT. THE ACFT REMAINED IN GROUND EFFECT & ABOUT 3/4 DOWN THE RWY, HAD NOT ACCELERATED ENOUGH TO CLIMB. WITH INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING & OBSTRUCTIONS AHEAD, THE CFI TOOK CONTROL & MANEUVERED THE ACFT ALONG A ROAD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB. THE RT WING COLLIDED WITH TREES & THE ACFT THEN CRASHED INTO TREES & CAME TO REST. THE CFI FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION & WHEN ASKED HOW THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, HE STATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE FLOWN INTO THAT AIRSTRIP. ACCORDING TO AN FAA OPS INSPECTOR WHO ARRIVED 5 HOURS LATER, THE GRASS WAS 4 INCHES HIGH & THE RWY WAS SOFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25109](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25109-1992-02-06), registration cancelled 1992-02-06, S/N 3880A0023 (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: 38-80A0023
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: St. Lucie Air Academy, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bodicea Air, Inc.
- Departed: FL23
- Airport: FL23, Strazzula Groves, runway 27, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,825 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,752 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR, 10 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 19901113050169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901113050169A), Nov 13, 1990: Piper PA38112, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after early liftoff from short tall grass strip. Struck trees.

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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