# NTSB MIA94LA113: Piper PA-38, N2477E, Tallahassee, FL, April 6, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1994, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Tallahassee, FL
- Coordinates: 30.449775, -84.279685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4498&lon=-84.2797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND LACK OF RUDDER INPUT DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.  RUDDER INPUT WAS NEEDED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE P-FACTOR GENERATED BY THE INCREASE IN POWER ON THE GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT, RETURNING FROM A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, FLOATED LONG WHILE LANDING AND ADDED POWER TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND.  UPON ADDITION OF POWER THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT, LANDED IN THE GRASS AND ROLLED TO A STOP INTO THE TREES.

## Factual narrative

On April 6, 1994, about 1800 eastern daylight time, N2477E, a Piper PA-38 crashed into trees on landing at Tallahassee Commercial Airport, Tallahassee, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane is registered to and operated by D-Bar-D Aviation Inc.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Albany, Georgia, about 1559 the same day.

The student pilot stated that as he flared for landing he encountered a gust of wind from the left and he added power for a go-around. The airplane then landed and exited the runway to the left and then struck trees. The purpose of the flight was a solo cross-country instructional flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2477E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2477E-1994-11-22), registration cancelled 1994-11-22, S/N 3878A0472 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78AO472
- Airframe hours: 5178
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: D-Bar-D Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: D-Bar-D Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1994, 97 hours before
- Departed: ABY, ALBANY, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 68J, Tallahassee Commercial, runway 16, 3,249 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 27 total, 17 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: THL, 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 19940406000359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940406000359A), Apr 6, 1994: Piper PA38112, Tallahassee, FL, Substantial damage. On solo cross country flilght flared for landing. Wind gust drifted aircraft. Added power go around. 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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