# Accident 20091208023129A: Piper PA38112, Fresno, CA, December 8, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 8, 2009, 12:48 local time
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Airport: Fresno Yosemite International
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.7761° N, 119.7181° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7761&lon=-119.7181&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2539D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2539D-2010-04-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-38-112 (registry code 7103812, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA38112
- Reported engine: LYC O235L2C
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 270 total, 180 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA074) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091208023129A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

WHILE ON INITIAL CLIMB OUT FROM FAT RWY 20L, THE PILOT INDICATED THE ENGINE STARTED TO BACKFIRE AND NOTICED THE ENGINE RPM DROPPING AND STARTED TO SURGE AROUND 1800 RPM.  THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE EMERGENCY TO FAT TOWER ATC AND STARTED A DESCENDING LEFT TURN TO RETURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT.  SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 400 FEET BEFORE THE APPROACH END OF RWY 11R.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED ON IMPACT AND THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR10LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA074), Dec 8, 2009: Piper PA-38-112 (N2539D), Fresno, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Other reports on N2539D (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20070511006679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070511006679A), May 11, 2007: Piper PA38112 (N2539D), Mariposa, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command was taxiing the aircraft back to the runway after landing and decided to take his shirt off over his head because he was hot. During…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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