# NTSB MIA91LA105: Piper PA-28-161, N440FT, Melbourne, FL, March 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1991, 09:16 local (14:16 UTC)
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Coordinates: 28.080556, -80.600288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0806&lon=-80.6003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA105

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF CONTROL ON THE GROUND BY THE STUDENT PILOT DUE TO A LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND APPREHENSION ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ADDED THROTTLE ON A SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT AND STATED HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N440FT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N440FT), registered now, S/N 28-8216219, built 1982 (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: 28-8216219
- Airframe hours: 6348
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 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, March 11, 1991, 48 hours before
- Departed: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MLB, Melbourne, runway 22, 3,002 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 1 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 19910323007309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910323007309A), Mar 23, 1991: Piper PA28161, Mccomb, MS, Substantial damage. Student on first solo lost control on takeoff.

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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