# NTSB MIA96LA005: Piper PA-23-250, N4587P, Opa Locka, FL, October 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1995, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Opa Locka, FL
- Coordinates: 26.239048, -80.090423 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2390&lon=-80.0904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON LANDING RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL, SLIDING OFF THE RUNWAY INTO A ROCK COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR.

## 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 obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

The airplane veered to the left of the runway on landing roll and collided with a rock collapsing the nose landing gear.

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 1995 about 1640 eastern daylight time, N4587P, a Piper PA-23-250, experienced a nose gear collapse on landing at Opa Locka West Airport Opa Locka, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The commercial pilot reported no injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Opa Locka Airport, Opa Locka, Florida, about 15 minutes earlier.

The pilot allowed the airplane to veer to the left on landing roll.  The plane collided with a rock collapsing the nose landing gear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4587P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4587P-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 27-96, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-96
- Airframe hours: 4972
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Iqbal Saleem
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1995, 22 hours before
- Departed: OPF, FL
- Destination: X46, FL
- Airport: X46, Opa Locka West, runway 9, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 285 total, 22 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF

## 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 19951010034439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951010034439A), Oct 10, 1995: Piper PA23250, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Veered into crosswind on landing roll. Collided with a rock. Collapsed nose gear.

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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