# NTSB MIA96LA055: Piper PA-46, N8888X, Fort Myers, FL, December 3, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 1995, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Fort Myers, FL - Coordinates: 26.519208, -81.980239 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5192&lon=-81.9802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37966/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA055 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE AMOUNT OF RUDDER INPUT TO COMPENSATE FOR ENGINE TORQUE DURING TAKEOFF. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - rudder - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ditch - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL HE APPLIED NORMAL RIGHT RUDDER TO COMPENSATE FOR ENGINE TORQUE. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE PILOT INPUT AND DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE AIRPLANE WENT ONTO THE GRASS AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH A SMALL DITCH AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. ## Factual narrative On December 3, 1995, about 1615 eastern standard time a Piper PA-46, N8888X, registered to a private owner crashed during takeoff from the Fort Myers Page Field Airport, Fort Myers, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The instrument-rated private pilot and one passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, he applied normal right rudder and the airplane did not respond. He aborted the takeoff and the airplane went into the grass on the left side of the runway. The nose gear impacted a small ditch and collapsed. The propeller strike and cowling damage were verified, and no other damages were verified by the pilot. Further examination of the airplane by an airframe and power plant mechanic revealed damages to the nose gear, propeller, gear doors, lower cowl, firewall, and the forward section of the fuselage. Initially this case was reported as an incident, but was subsequently classified as an accident based upon inspection and damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8888X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8888X), registered now, S/N 4622078, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46 - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4622078 - Airframe hours: 470 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lloyd E. Register - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FMY - Destination: ORL, ORLANDO, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FMY, Page Field, runway 31, 4,997 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,394 total, 425 in this make and model, 1,394 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FMY ## 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 19951203039449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951203039449A), Dec 3, 1995: Piper PA46350P, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Narrative: pilot register stated that during takeoff roll, applying normal right rudder for p. factor did not overcome severe left drift. Aborted takeoff, went… 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.