# NTSB MIA97LA126: Socata TB-21C, N55510, Hollywood, FL, March 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1997, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Hollywood, FL - Coordinates: 26.029438, -80.239852 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0294&lon=-80.2399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38252 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38252/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA126 ## Probable cause continued flight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions, and the pilot allowing the aircraft to exceed its design stress limits. Weather associated with the thunderstorm was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - wing,spar - overload - vertical stabilizer - overload ## Analysis The pilot stated that while being vectored after takeoff, he observed adverse weather ahead and advised the controller. The controller had received a PIREP, which indicated only light precipitation. The flight continued on the vectored heading and encountered severe adverse weather, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. The pilot regained control of the aircraft after obtaining visual reference with the ground, then the flight continued to the planned destination. The pilot was advised after the occurrence to contact the facility, which he did. He was advised by the area supervisor that '... he would take care of that, and I would have nothing to worry about.' During routine surveillance, an FAA inspector observed that the wing spars and vertical stabilizer of the aircraft had been damaged, and he notified the NTSB. The occurrence was first observed and reported to the NTSB 15 days after the date of the occurrence; therefore, voice and radar tapes from the ATC facility and from the FSS were not available for review. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1997, about 1330 eastern standard time, a Socata TB-21C, N55510, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged during cruise flight while in contact with Miami Approach Control, near Hollywood, Florida. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from the North Perry Airport, Hollywood, Florida, about 1328. After takeoff while being vectored by a controller the actual heading flown was 180 degrees off the vectored heading. The flight continued and according to the controller, he depicted weather on the radar scope but after obtaining a Pilot Report (PIREP) and no report of adverse weather, he vectored the flight in that same area. The pilot stated that after takeoff while being vectored he observed adverse weather ahead and advised the controller of this, who told him that only light precipitation was ahead. The flight continued on the vectored heading, encountered IMC conditions at 1,500 feet, and the pilot reported that he experienced an in-flight loss of control. While descending vertically, he obtained visual reference with the ground and regained control of the airplane. The flight continued and he was advised to contact the approach control area supervisor upon landing. The pilot complied and told the supervisor the flight conditions encountered and the supervisor advised the pilot that "...he would take care of that, and I would have nothing to worry about." During routine surveillance at the airport on April 9, 1997, 19 days after the accident, an FAA airworthiness inspector observed the airplane with damaged wing spars and vertical stabilizer and reported this to the NTSB. The voice and radar tapes from the Miami Approach control and the voice tape from the Miami Automated International Flight Service Station for the weather briefing for the day of the occurrence, were put back in service 15 days after the day of the accident and were not available for review. The pilot failed to timely report the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55510](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55510), registered now, S/N 1252 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Socata TB-21C - Registry model: [Socata TB21TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb21tc) (registry code 8680699) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-series) (registry code 41569, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1252 - Airframe hours: 776 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-C4D5D 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frederick J. Meno III - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: HWO, FL - Destination: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: HWO, North Perry ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,439 total, 62 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HWO ## 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 19970321012049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970321012049A), Mar 21, 1997: Socata TB21, Hollywood, FL, Substantial damage. IFR takeoff into low clouds. Flew 180 off ATC heading into storm. Lost control broke out. Pullup bent wing spar. (-23) on March 21, 1997, frederick meno, cert.… ## Other investigations on N55510 (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 IAD05CA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA015), Nov 18, 2004: Socata TB 21-TC (N55510), Binghamton, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper IFR procedure by his flight below the decision altitude, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. 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.