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NTSB Report
November 10, 1987 · Piper PA-28-161 · N82811
St. Petersburg, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 10, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
St. Petersburg, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N82811
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA88LA031
THE PLT, FAMILIAR WITH THE ARPT, OVERFLEW IT 2 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO ACTIVATE THE RWY LIGHTS USING THE ACFT'S RADIO AS WELL AS TO OBSERVE THE WIND SOCK. AFTER OBSERVING A NORTHERLY WIND & BEING UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE LIGHTS HE ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 36 RATHER THAN DIVERT TO ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTL ARPT. THE ACFT FLOATED OVER THE NUMBERS, TOUCHED DOWN APRX 528 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, & AS IT APPROACHED THE SEAWALL, HE APPLIED FULL UP ELEVATOR. THE ACFT THEN BECAME AIRBORNE MOMENTARILY, FLEW OVER THE SEAWALL AND LANDED IN TAMPA BAY IN APRX 18 FEET OF WATER. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE OBSERVED THE WINDS TO BE FROM THE SOUTH. THE RWY LIGHTS WERE CHECKED BY FAA PERSONNEL TO INSURE THAT THEY COULD BE ACTIVATED BY USING THE UNICOM FREQUENCY 122.95, & FOUND TO OPERATE SATISFACTORY. A NOTE FOUND BY POLICE IN THE WRECKAGE READ 'LIGHTS 121.95.'
Full Narrative
THE PLT, FAMILIAR WITH THE ARPT, OVERFLEW IT 2 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO ACTIVATE THE RWY LIGHTS USING THE ACFT'S RADIO AS WELL AS TO OBSERVE THE WIND SOCK. AFTER OBSERVING A NORTHERLY WIND & BEING UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE LIGHTS HE ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 36 RATHER THAN DIVERT TO ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTL ARPT. THE ACFT FLOATED OVER THE NUMBERS, TOUCHED DOWN APRX 528 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, & AS IT APPROACHED THE SEAWALL, HE APPLIED FULL UP ELEVATOR. THE ACFT THEN BECAME AIRBORNE MOMENTARILY, FLEW OVER THE SEAWALL AND LANDED IN TAMPA BAY IN APRX 18 FEET OF WATER. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE OBSERVED THE WINDS TO BE FROM THE SOUTH. THE RWY LIGHTS WERE CHECKED BY FAA PERSONNEL TO INSURE THAT THEY COULD BE ACTIVATED BY USING THE UNICOM FREQUENCY 122.95, & FOUND TO OPERATE SATISFACTORY. A NOTE FOUND BY POLICE IN THE WRECKAGE READ 'LIGHTS 121.95.'
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:52 EST
Nearest AirportAlbert Whitted (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2801 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN82811
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility13 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:00
Weather SourceWFAC