# NTSB MIA97LA150: Piper PA-12, N4141M, Key Largo, FL, April 27, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1997, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Key Largo, FL
- Coordinates: 25.079206, -80.440589 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.0792&lon=-80.4406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA150

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and collision with bushes and terrain.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was landing with a crosswind, and the airplane veered to the right on landing rollout and collided with bushes and trees.  Review of the weather at the time of the accident revealed no recorded turbulence, downdrafts, gusts, or windshear.

## Factual narrative

On April 27, 1997, about 1010 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-12, N4141M, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed during landing at Ocean Reef Club, a private airport, Key Largo, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Key Largo, Florida, about 10 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated the airplane ballooned during the flare (round out), he recovered with power and the airplane touched down on the runway.  The airplane turned sharply to the right, the left wing came up, the airplane continued to turn to the right, and collided with bushes and palm trees.  The pilot-rated passenger confirmed the pilot's statements.  	 	Review of the weather at the time of the accident revealed no record of turbulence, downdrafts, gusts, or windshear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4141M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4141M-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 12-3040, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: Lycoming 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Moyer
- Registered owner: Fred W. Messina
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: X09
- Airport: X09, Ocean Reef Club, runway 22, 5,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 900 total, 125 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HST, 22 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 19970427011099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970427011099A), Apr 27, 1997: Piper PA12, Key Largo, FL, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot stated he was landing with a crosswind, and the airplane veered to the right on landing rollout and collided with bushes and trees. Review of the…

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.