# NTSB Accident ERA23FA340
> **PIPER PA-28-161** · 2023-08-17 · Fort Pierce, FL, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** ERA23FA340
- **Event ID:** 20230817192890
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2023-08-17
- **Location:** Fort Pierce, FL, USA
- **Coordinates:** 27.432893, -80.529017
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 1
- **Serious:** 1
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 2
## Aircraft
- **Make:** PIPER
- **Model:** PA-28-161
- **Registration:** N9855S
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The left seat instructor’s intentional maneuvering of the airplane in an aerobatic steep turn for which it was not approved, which resulted in an exceedance of the structural limitations of the airplane and an inflight breakup.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=ERA23FA340) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*