Piper PA-28-140 accident near Ocracoke, North Carolina, August 2, 1992
On August 2, 1992 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N3732K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ocracoke, North Carolina (Ocracoke Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, AND THE DIRT BANK ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 1992 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ocracoke, North Carolina · Ocracoke Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N3732K · no longer on the register · serial 28-23709
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT OVERFLEW THE AIRPORT AND CHECKED THE WINDS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON RUNWAY 6, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH A SAND DUNE. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT REPORTED WINDS TO BE FROM 060 DEGREES, AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT CROSSWINDS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT SOLO ENDORSEMENT ON HIS STUDENT CERTIFICATE, AND HE HAD LOGGED ONLY 2 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 35 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 23 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,808 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 1992; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MRH Beaufort NC at 4:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 3,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from EWN, 53 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.