# NTSB MIA98LA059: Valentin Tiafun 17E, N16MA, Pensacola, FL, January 12, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1998, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Pensacola, FL
- Coordinates: 30.389366, -87.370384 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3894&lon=-87.3704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA059

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to see-and-avoid an obstruction during a precautionary landing on a paved road.  Factors relating to the accident were: the resultant low fuel condition, and an obstruction in the precautionary landing area.

## Analysis

The pilot made a navigational error during a cross-country flight (misidentification of a landmark), which resulted in a low fuel condition. He made a precautionary landing on a paved road in a housing subdivision. During the landing rollout, the airplane collided with a fence post, veered to the right, and nosed down. During the occurrence, the engine assembly separated from the airframe.

## Factual narrative

On January 12, 1998, about 1630 central standard time, a Valentin Tiafun 17E, N16MA, registered to a private owner crashed on landing rollout during a precautionary landing in the vicinity of Pensacola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Pensacola Naval Air Station at an undetermined time.

The pilot stated he was on a VFR flight from Clemson, to Winter Haven, Florida. While in cruise flight he realized he was low on fuel and had misidentified the Gulf of Mexico as the Atlantic Ocean. He made a precautionary landing to a road in a housing subdivision. The right wing collided with a fence post and the airplane veered to the right, nosed over, and the engine assembly separated from the airframe.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16MA-1998-04-14), registration cancelled 1998-04-14, S/N 1039 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Valentin TIAFUN 17E
- Registry model: [Valentin TAIFUN 17E](https://openairdocs.org/model/valentin-taifun-17e) (registry code 9370100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1039
- Airframe hours: 587
- Engines: Limbach L2000EB1.B 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert G.Hebron
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1997
- Departed: PNA, PENSACOLA, FL
- Destination: 82J, FERGUSON, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,276 total, 68 in this make and model, 9,256 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNA

## 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 19980112000269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980112000269A), Jan 12, 1998: Amtr TIAFUN17E, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) On January 12, 1998, about 1630 central standard time, a valentin tiafun 17E, N16MA, registered to a private owner crashed on landing rollout during a…

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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