# NTSB MIA99LA052: Piper PA-24-250, N5836P, Clearwater, FL, December 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 19, 1998, 17:14 local (22:14 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.900371, -82.680488 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9004&lon=-82.6805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45490 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45490/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA052 ## Probable cause The delay by the pilot-in-command (CFI) to take control of the airplane and inadvertent stall/mush resulting in the uncontrolled descent and impact with the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - rudder - excessive, dual student - aileron - improper, dual student - proper assistance - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The student had failed the soft field takeoff procedure during a commercial checkride 3 days earlier and was flying with his flight instructor for additional training. The instructor stated that the student had the tendency to allow the airplane to drift to the left after the nose wheel came off the ground. The flight departed and with the student performing a soft field takeoff, the airplane began drifting to the left. The instructor advised the student to apply 'a lot more right rudder!' and the student applied 'way too much' right rudder. While flying in a cross controlled condition, the instructor attempted to regain control but the airplane stalled and the left wing of the airplane contacted the runway, followed by the right wing. The airplane then traveled off the runway onto grass and came to rest with the right main landing gear collapsed. The instructor stated that he should have taken corrective action sooner. Examination of the airplane revealed a bent and broken threaded portion of a rod end for the retract/extension rod. ## Factual narrative On December 19, 1998, about 1714 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N5836P, registered to Cross Winds Aviation, Inc., experienced an in-flight loss of control during takeoff from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, Clearwater, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI), private-rated student, and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence. The purpose of the flight was for the student to practice soft field takeoffs because he had failed the soft field takeoff procedure during his commercial checkride 3 days earlier. The CFI stated that the student had the tendency while practicing soft field takeoffs previously to not apply enough right rudder after the nose wheel left the ground resulting in the airplane drifting to the left. The airplane was taxied to the runway and after being cleared for takeoff, power was applied and the student initiated a soft field takeoff procedure. After the nose landing gear came off the runway, the airplane began drifting to the left and the CFI advised the student to apply "a lot more right rudder!" The CFI stated that the student applied "way too much" right rudder and while flying in ground effect, the airplane was flying in a cross control condition with right rudder and left aileron inputs applied. The CFI advised the student to remove the right rudder input and he corrected with left rudder and removed the left aileron input. The CFI reported that while in a cross controlled power-on stalled condition, the left wingtip contacted the runway, followed by the right wing. The airplane then traveled off the runway onto grass and came to rest with the right main landing gear collapsed. The CFI stated that he should have taken corrective action sooner. Examination of the right main landing gear assembly by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the threaded portion of the rod end for the extension/retract rod was bent and broken. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5836P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5836P), registered now, S/N 24-917, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-917 - Airframe hours: 5110 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mark R. Whitney - Registered owner: Crosswinds Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1998, 164 hours before - Departed: PIE - Airport: PIE, St Petersburg-Clearwater, runway 9, 5,165 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,090 total, 10 in this make and model, 940 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PIE ## 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 19981219041909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981219041909A), Dec 19, 1998: Piper PA24250, St Petersburg-C, FL, Substantial damage. (.19)On December 19, 1998, about 1714 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24, N5836P, reistered to cross winds aviation, inc., experienced an in-flight loss of… ## Other investigations on N5836P (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 MIA85LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA149), Apr 19, 1985: Piper PA-24-250 (N5836P), Fellsmere, FL, substantial damage 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.