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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 8, 1983 · Piper PA-28-150 · N5888W

Brandon, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Brandon, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-150
Tail Number
N5888W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA83FA197

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF. THE CFI NOTED THE RPM DROPPING TO 2000 WITH FULL THROTTLE AND AT ABOUT 75 AGL AND TRIED TO ARREST THE DESCENT WITH FLAPS BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. ONE TAKEOFF HAD BEEN ABORTED DUE TO POOR ACCELERATION BUT THE CFI HAD THOUGHT IT WAS IMPROPER THROTTLE TECHNIQUE ON THE PARTOF THE STUDENT. POST ACCIDENT ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED OLD TYPE VALVE SPRINGS INSTALLED THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY PN LW11800. A MECHANIC HAD INSTALLED NEW SPRINGS BUT OF AN INCORRECT TYPE WITH INCORRECT COLOR CODING. AVCO LYCOMING SERVICE INSTRUCTION 1240B CALLED FOR THE CHANGE TO IMPROVE ENGINE PERFORMANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDED IMPROVED VALVE SPRINGS.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF. THE CFI NOTED THE RPM DROPPING TO 2000 WITH FULL THROTTLE AND AT ABOUT 75 AGL AND TRIED TO ARREST THE DESCENT WITH FLAPS BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. ONE TAKEOFF HAD BEEN ABORTED DUE TO POOR ACCELERATION BUT THE CFI HAD THOUGHT IT WAS IMPROPER THROTTLE TECHNIQUE ON THE PARTOF THE STUDENT. POST ACCIDENT ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED OLD TYPE VALVE SPRINGS INSTALLED THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY PN LW11800. A MECHANIC HAD INSTALLED NEW SPRINGS BUT OF AN INCORRECT TYPE WITH INCORRECT COLOR CODING. AVCO LYCOMING SERVICE INSTRUCTION 1240B CALLED FOR THE CHANGE TO IMPROVE ENGINE PERFORMANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDED IMPROVED VALVE SPRINGS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:40 EDT
Nearest AirportBRANDON (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length2775 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-150
Tail NumberN5888W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data