Event MIA03CA026

Factual narrative

On December 8, 2002, about 1650 central standard time, a Piper PA-38, N2585B, registered to and operated by Pensacola Aviation Limited LLC, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight ran off the taxiway after landing at Pensacola Regional Airport, Pensacola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The student pilot was not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Monroeville, Alabama, the same day, about 1615. The student pilot stated that he was returning from a solo cross-country flight, and had executed the landing flare touchdown, and subsequent rollout, but the airplane was moving a little fast. The student further stated that the FAA tower controller instructed him to "turn right at Taxiway D", and as he applied the brakes and attempted to comply, the airplane departed the taxiway and collided with a taxiway sign. As a result of the impact, there was damage to the airplane's fuselage and its right wing. The student said that prior to the accident there had not been any mechanical failure or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems. The student pilot stated that he had completed landing flare, and during the landing rollout the airplane was moving a little fast. He said the FAA tower controller instructed him to "turn right at Taxiway D", and as he applied the brakes and attempted to comply, the airplane departed the taxiway and collided with a taxiway sign. The student further stated that prior to the accident there had not been any mechanical failure or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12