# NTSB MIA96FA115: Piper PA-24-250, N6243P, Lakeland, FL, April 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 1996, 18:54 local (22:54 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 28.039806, -81.900146 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0398&lon=-81.9001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37902 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96FA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37902/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96FA115 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vs) while turning on approach from base to final resulting in an inadvertent stall. ## Analysis Witnesses observed the airplane on a tight downwind for landing. The airspeed seemed slower than other airplanes in the traffic pattern. The nose of the airplane was observed to pitch up and down while on the base leg. The airplane over shot the turn to final and started a turn to the left - estimated between 35 to 45 degrees. The left wing dropped down 90 degrees as if in a stall, the nose pitched down, and the airplane collided with the terrain. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 12, 1996, about 1854 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6243P, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on landing at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and a postcrash fire ensued. The private pilot, private pilot-rated passenger, and an additional passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed Lumberton, North Carolina, about 3 hours before the accident. Witnesses stated they observed the airplane on a tight downwind for runway 09 left. The airspeed seemed slower than other airplanes in the traffic pattern. The nose of the airplane was observed to pitch up and down while on the base leg. The airplane over shot the turn to final and started a turn to the left estimated between 35 to 45 degrees. The left wing dropped down 90 degrees as if in a stall, the nose pitched down, and the airplane collided with the terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Review of the private pilot's logbook revealed the pilot had recorded as logged 37.4 total hours in the PA-24-250, of which 32.9 hours were dual instruction, and 4.5 hours were solo. An endorsement in the pilot's logbook indicates, "Dec 8, 1995 I certify that Mr. Clarence H. Ward, Jr. Has completed the check out requirements by Ranger Insurance Policy #GA70438 in a PA-24-250. J.Byrd 214022884 CFI 10/96." Further review of the pilot's logbook indicates on October 24, 1995, "see back high perf sign off this date." For additional first pilot information see page 3 of this report. Review of the pilot-rated passenger's logbook revealed he had no flight time recorded as logged in the PA-24-250. For additional second pilot information see NTSB Form 6120.4 supplement E. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION For additional aircraft information see page 2 of this report. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. For additional information see page 3 of this report. AERODROME INFORMATION For procedures concerning Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, during the Lakeland Experimental Aircraft Association 1996 Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, see U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Special Air Traffic Management Program, (Notam) Sun 'n Fun, April 12 thru 20, 1996. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The wreckage of N6243P was located on the north side of runway 09 left, approximately 1,000 feet east of the west end of the runway. The airplane collided with the ground in a left wing low, nose-down attitude, nosed over, and came to rest inverted on a heading of 160 degrees magnetic. The landing gear was down, and the flaps were extended 27 degrees. Both propeller blades separated from the propeller hub. Torsional twisting, "s" bending and chordwise scarring was present on both propeller blades. The leading edge of the left wing was bent upward, compressed aft along the leading edge, and separated 120 inches outboard of the wing root. The right wing was bent downward and the leading edge sustained compression damage extending from the wing tip inboard to the mid span of the wing. The left and right main fuel tanks, and left and right auxiliary fuel tanks were ruptured. A postcrash fire ensued. Examination of the airframe, flight control system, engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Continuity of the flight control system was confirmed for pitch, roll, and yaw. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Post-mortem examination of the pilot was conducted by Dr. Alexander M. Melamud, Associate Medical Examiner, District Ten, Bartow, Florida, on April 13, 1996. The manner of death is classified as accidental. Post-mortem toxicology of specimens from the pilot was performed by the Forensic Toxicology Research Section, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These studies were negative for carbon monoxide, alcohol, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. Post-mortem examination of the pilot rated passenger was conducted by Dr. Alexander M. Melamud, Associate Medical Examiner, District Ten, Bartow, Florida, on April 13, 1996. The manner of death was classified as accidental. Post-mortem toxicology of specimens from the pilot-rated passenger was performed by the Forensic Toxicology Research Section, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These studies were negative for carbon monoxide, alcohol, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs. TEST AND RESEARCH The Piper Comanche Owner's Handbook, Section I, Design Features, page 5, states the stalling speed flaps down is 64 mph. The performance figures are for custom model airplanes flown at gross weight under standard conditions at sea level o, or stated altitude. The stall speed increases with the angle of bank. The air traffic manager for Lakeland tower stated no air traffic control communications were recorded from April 12, 1996, through April 20, 1996. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The airplane wreckage was released to Mr. Gary P. Quill, Director Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, on April 13, 1996. The engine assembly and accessories were released to Mr. Fred E. Ware II, President, Florida Aero Services, Lakeland, Florida, on April 13, 1996. The aircraft and pilot logbooks were released to Ms. Crystal Karap, fiancee of the deceased pilot on April 26, 1996. The pilot logbook for the deceased pilot-rated passenger was released to Mr. Gary S. Peklo, Attorney at Law, Ellicott City, Maryland, on May 8, 1996. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6243P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6243P-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 24-1348, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1348 - Airframe hours: 4482 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clarence H. Ward Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1995, 59 hours before - Departed: LBT, LUMBERTON, NC - Destination: LAL, LAKELAND, FL - Airport: LAL, Lakeland Linder Regional, runway 9L, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 248 total, 42 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAL ## 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 19960412007109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960412007109A), Apr 12, 1996: Piper PA24250, Lakeland, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Over shot runway alignment on approach. Stalled in steep turn to regain alignment. Too low and slow. Low skill level ## Other investigations on N6243P (1) 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 MKC82DCQ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DCQ03), Nov 6, 1981: Piper PA-24 (N6243P), Wichita, KS, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.