# NTSB MIA91LA104: Piper PA-38-112, N25459, La Belle, FL, March 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1991, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: La Belle, FL
- Coordinates: 26.640882, -81.340866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6409&lon=-81.3409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32836
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32836/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA104

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FACT THAT THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION WHEN HE PULLED THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON THE GRASS ADJACENT TO RWY 14 WITH A WIND FROM THE EAST AT 5 KTS, THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT AFTER HE REACHED DOWN & PULLED THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES.  THE ACFT YAWED TO THE RIGHT WHICH COLLAPSED THE RT MAIN & NOSE LANDING GEARS & CAME TO REST. AS A RESULT OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE RT GEAR, THE BRAKE LINE BROKE.  IT WAS REPLACED & NO FURTHER BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED.  THE ACFT WAS REPAIRED & FLOWN FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE TO THE NEW OWNER'S FACILITY.  THE OWNER STATED THAT THE BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY WHEN USING THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25459](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25459-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N 38-81A0001, built 1980 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0001
- Airframe hours: 1628
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Grant, Warren & Newbury, Fred
- Registered owner: Grant, Warren & Newbury, Fred
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1990, 24 hours before
- Airport: X14, La Belle Municipal, runway 14, 3,400 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 25 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 19910320006649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910320006649A), Mar 20, 1991: Piper PA38112, La Belle, FL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing roll. Ran off runway into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N25459 (2)

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 MIA93LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA147), Jun 26, 1993: Piper PA-38 (N25459), St. Petersburg, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT BEING DITCHED.
- [NTSB MIA87LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA088), Feb 20, 1987: Piper PA-38-112 (N25459), New Smyrna Bch, FL, 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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