# NTSB MIA91LA087: Piper PA-28-161, N609FT, Valkaria, FL, February 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1991, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Valkaria, FL
- Coordinates: 28.069843, -80.680183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0698&lon=-80.6802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA087

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT'S ACTIONS, RESULTING IN A STALL AT A LOW ALTITUDE WHERE RECOVERY WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - supervision - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT INITIATED A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 250 FT AGL.  THE STUDENT INITIATED A STEEP TURN AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED.  THE INSTRUCTOR ADDED THROTTLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER BUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TREES AND THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N609FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N609FT-2005-03-18), registration cancelled 2005-03-18, S/N 2841219, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2841219
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fla. Institute Of Technology
- Registered owner: Fla. Institute Of Technology
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 14, 1991, 33 hours before
- Airport: X59, Valkaria, runway 14, 3,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 387 total, 346 in this make and model, 353 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 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 19910225003479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910225003479A), Feb 25, 1991: Piper PA28161, Valkaria, FL, Substantial damage. Gave student engine out on climbout. Student made steep turn and stalled. CFI took over too late to fully recover.

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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