# Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-38-112 NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 1 of 2 · 75 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB CEN21LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA070.md): Piper PA38 · Franklin, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 30, 2020 · N9879T · Destroyed > The impairment of both pilots from carbon monoxide exposure due to a degraded muffler. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect the degraded muffler. - [NTSB WPR21FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA044.md): Piper PA38 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 10, 2020 · N6380A · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation. - [NTSB ERA17FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA112.md): Piper PA38 · East Haven, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2017 · N2452C · Destroyed > The failure of the fuel selector valve in a position that restricted fuel flow to the engine, resulting in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation. Also causal was the operator's failure to effectively detect and resolve the… - [NTSB CEN16FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA220.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Madison, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2016 · N2412D · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper climb rate after takeoff and the subsequent collision with transmission line structures. - [NTSB ERA16FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA005.md): Piper PA 38-112 · Jasper, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2015 · N4313E · Substantial damage > The student pilot's failure to accurately determine the airplane's fuel state, subsequent fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate oversight of the student… - [NTSB WPR11FA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA383.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Silver Bow, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2011 · N2584N · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering. - [NTSB WPR10FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA078.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Ojai, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2009 · N2463K · Substantial damage > Airspeed was not maintained, which resulted in a loss of control and the airplane entering into a stall/spin to the ground. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. - [NTSB ERA09FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA060.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Smithfield, RI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2008 · N2316P · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper descent below the published minimum descent altitude during the approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ATL07FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07FA081.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Dawsonville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 2007 · N9247T · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, with a low cloud ceiling, over mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX04FA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA167.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Jean, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 19, 2004 · N2421D · Destroyed > The student pilot's failure to regain control of the aircraft following an upset due to the disconnected primary right aileron control cable. The failure of the company maintenance personnel to detect and correct the improperly secured turnbuckle fitting at… - [NTSB FTW03FA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA111.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Prattsville, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 2003 · N91594 · Destroyed > The pilot's execution of VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Fog conditions and the pilot's lack of an instrument rating are contributing factors. - [NTSB LAX00FA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA354.md): Piper PA-38 · San Luis Obispo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2000 · N2493G · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while turning to reverse course following inadvertent nighttime flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in nighttime operations. - [NTSB CHI99FA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99FA342.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Warrensburg, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 1999 · N9575T · Destroyed > Aircraft control not being maintained by the private pilot candidate and the inadequate supervision by the FAA Designated Examiner. Factors relating to the accident were the inadvertent spin, the unsuccessful remedial action attempted by the flightcrew, and… - [NTSB FTW98FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA086.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Tremonton, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 4, 1998 · N23371 · Destroyed > The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, becoming spatially disoriented and his subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors were the dark night and weather conditions that included obscuration and snow. - [NTSB CHI97FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97FA133.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Savoy, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 18, 1997 · N383AV · Destroyed > the pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation and her not maintaining airspeed. Factors were fuel exhaustion and entering an inadvertent stall. - [NTSB CHI95FA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95FA326.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Danville, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 1995 · N118AT · Destroyed > the pilot-in-command's inadequate recovery while maneuvering. - [NTSB MIA95FA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95FA224.md): Aerospatiale TB-9 · New Smyrna Bch, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 1995 · N117ER · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > the failure of the pilots of both aircraft to see and avoid each other. - [NTSB LAX95FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95FA016.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Kettleman City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 1994 · N2326G · Destroyed > Failure of the student pilot to maintain control of the airplane for an unknown reason. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the pilot's lack of qualification/instructor endorsement for a cross-country flight at night. - [NTSB CHI94FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94FA097.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Inman, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 1994 · N2495L · Destroyed > An unintentional spin which occurred during the maneuvering phase of a biennial flight review. A factor related to the accident was: the airplane's lateral-directional characteristics at or near the stall speed. - [NTSB CHI93FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA247.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Houghton, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 1993 · N6279A · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in a stall/mush. Intentional buzzing was a factor. - [NTSB MIA93FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93FA145.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Pensacola, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 1993 · N2534B · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to alcohol impairment. The dark night was a contributing factor. - [NTSB CHI93FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA133.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Plattsmouth, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 1993 · N2530B · Destroyed > The pilot-in-command (CFI)'s failure to maintain airspeed. - [NTSB ATL93FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA066.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Kennesaw, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 1993 · N4218E · Destroyed > Failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to assure that a proper rate of climb was established after takeoff to maintain proper clearance above the terrain/obstacles. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the excessive weight condition of the… - [NTSB BFO92FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA131.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Conway, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1992 · N2509D · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the trees. A possible factor related to the accident was the pilot's use of a prescription drug. - [NTSB LAX92FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA247.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Boulder City, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 1992 · N2516D · Destroyed > The instructor pilot's inadequate supervision of the student pilot to insure the proper flap setting for takeoff which resulted in the proper climb rate not being attained. Contributing to the accident was rising terrain. - [NTSB NYC91FA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA235.md): Piper PA38-112 · Akron, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1991 · N9302T · Destroyed > The pilot lost control of the airplane and inadvertently stalled and spun the airplane at too low an altitude to allow recovery. Factors related to the accident were; the pilot's improper preflight and planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a loss of… - [NTSB LAX91LA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA365.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Oceano, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 1991 · N2526C · Destroyed > Unknown. The main airplane wreckage and the body of the pilot are presumed lost at sea. - [NTSB FTW91FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA124.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Whitharral, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 1991 · N9326T · Destroyed > Power loss due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were the pilot's operation with the known inoperative landing light and the dark night. - [NTSB MIA91FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA160.md): Piper PA38-112 · South Port, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 1991 · N2549A · Destroyed > The pilot in commands failure to maintain a safe altitude resulting in an inflight collision with electrical lines. - [NTSB DEN91FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA010.md): Piper PA-38-125 · Levelland, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 1990 · N2448L · Destroyed > Inadvertent stall/spin at an altitude insufficient to effect recovery. - [NTSB CHI90FA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA193.md): Piper PA-38 · Hinckley, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 1990 · N2508D · Destroyed > The instructor pilot's inability to recover from a stall/spin. Factors were: acft wt & balance exceeded, and the instructor's and student pilot's lack of familiarity with acft. - [NTSB ATL90FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA139.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Florence, AL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 1990 · N2409K · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > Failure of the pilot-in-command of N2409K to maintain safe separation from N2437K during unauthorized formation maneuvering. Overconfidence in personal ability and the execution of unauthorized formation flight on the part of both pilots-in-command were… - [NTSB FTW90FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA106.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Jacksonville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 5, 1990 · N2468G · Destroyed > A fuel exhaustion induced power loss during the initial climb after takeoff. - [NTSB MIA90FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA106.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Marco Island, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 1990 · N91309 · Destroyed > Fuel exhaustion due to improper planning & decision by the pilot, and an inadvertent stall/spin while maneuvering for a forced landing. - [NTSB NYC90FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA075.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Smithfield, RI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 8, 1990 · N2603G · Destroyed > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in insufficient altitude to recover from a stall. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of total experience and excessive gross weight of the airplane. - [NTSB FTW90FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA079.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Grand Prairie, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 8, 1990 · N2456P · Destroyed > The CFI pilot failed to maintain flying speed, and the resultant inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the existing low ceiling. - [NTSB LAX89LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA283.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 1989 · N2344N · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate airspeed during takeoff which led to an inadvertent stall. A factor was the excessive weight in the aircraft. - [NTSB ANC89FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA133.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1989 · N2424N · Destroyed > Loss of engine power for an unknown reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, while turning back toward the airport, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. - [NTSB CHI89LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA147.md): Piper PA-38-112 · River Falls, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 1989 · N25687 · Destroyed > Improper remedial action by the pilot following an abrupt maneuver. The pilot's lack of total aviation experience was a factor in the accident. - [NTSB MKC89FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA083.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Mayflower, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 1989 · N2604N · Substantial damage > The pilots failure to maintain airspeed (vs), and inadvertant entry into a stall with necessary remedial action not understood. - [NTSB FTW89FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA028.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Tomball, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1988 · N2379V · Destroyed > The airplane was being used for touch and go landings by an instructor and a low time student. It was on a base leg to land to the south when the instructor told the tower she had lost the engine and was going down. There were no witnesses to the accident.… - [NTSB FTW88FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA132.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Electra, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 1988 · N2459K · Destroyed > The private pilot's logbook indicated he had a checkout on steep turns and spins two months prior to the accident. He also logged four landings during the same one-half hour flight. A witness saw the airplane complete a three turn spin and saw it start to… - [NTSB CHI88FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA153.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Hamm Lake, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 1988 · N2485N · Destroyed > Loss of control in flight, either by the student or by the instructor, at an altitude insufficient to allow for a recovery, by the flight instructor, before the resulting out of control descent caused the accident airplane to strike the terrain. - [NTSB NYC88FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA158.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Enon Valley, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1988 · N2317N · Destroyed > The aircraft was observed maneuvering at low altitude. The nose was observed to drop and a left rotation started. One witness said the rotation stopped before the aircraft disappeared behind a tree line. The aircraft caught fire within one minute of impact… - [NTSB LAX88FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA190.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Green Valley, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 19, 1988 · N2326A · Destroyed > Failure of the student pilot to accomplish the proper stall recovery procedures allowing the stall to develop into a spin. Contributing to this accident was the lack of training in spin recovery. - [NTSB DCA88WA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88WA048.md): Piper PA-38 · Oxford, United Kingdom · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Mar 27, 1988 · N91590 · Destroyed - [NTSB SEA87FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA014.md): Piper PA-38 · Port Townsend, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1986 · N2565P · Destroyed > The plt had flown this acft over the same route many times. While en route, the acft collided with tall trees on rising terrain about 3 miles south of a direct course to the destination. The wx in the vicinity was characterized by low clouds, fog & haze. Aprx… - [NTSB LAX86FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA002.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Paradise, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 1985 · N24126 · Destroyed > After takeoff, for an aflight orentation, the high time (over 2 4000 flt hours) pilot descended to an altitude of approx. 300 over a lake. The pilot was then flying up a twisting arm of the lake, in mountainous terrain into unmarked electrical transmission… - [NTSB ATL85FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA147.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Monroe, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 1985 · N2490A · Destroyed > The acft collided with rwy 23 (aprx 120 ft from the departure end) following a loss of control during an initial takeoff climb. The acft was observed to enter a steep climb on takeoff after which the right wing dropped. The acft then entered a spin prior to… - [NTSB FTW85FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA079.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Laredo, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1984 · N9249T · Destroyed > The acft was observed to enter a downwind leg of the traffic pattern at a low alt (estimated 100 ft AGL). The witness looked away for a moment. When he looked back, he did not see the acft. A search was intiated & the acft was found where it had crashed in a… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7103812&fatal=1&page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7103812')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=7103812 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.