# NTSB ANC06CA037: Piper PA-38-112, N939RG, Marana, AZ, March 27, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 27, 2006, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.506111, -111.32389
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5061&lon=-111.3239&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA037

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather conditions and loss of directional control, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway during the takeoff roll, and striking a sign.  A factor associated with the accident was a dust devil.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - sign

## Analysis

The private pilot was conducting a local personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91.  He said that during the takeoff roll he encountered a dust devil, and lost directional control of the airplane.  The pilot said the airplane exited the runway and struck a runway sign, which broke off the left wheel and axle assembly.  The airplane continued on, striking another sign, breaking off the left landing gear strut, and damaging the left wing leading edge.  The pilot also reported the airplane sustained dents in the fuselage.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot was conducting a local personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91.  He said during the takeoff roll he encountered a dust devil, and lost directional control of the airplane.  The pilot said the airplane exited the runway and struck a runway sign, which broke off the left wheel and axle assembly.  The airplane continued on, striking another sign, breaking off the left landing gear strut, and damaging the left wing leading edge.  The pilot also reported the airplane sustained dents in the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N939RG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N939RG-2009-10-26), registration cancelled 2009-10-26, S/N 38-81A0070, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0070
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Hinrichs
- Registered owner: Thomas L. Fletcher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AVQ, Marana, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 414 total, 400 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg

## Other investigations on N939RG (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 WPR09CA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA392), Aug 11, 2009: Piper PA-38-112 (N939RG), Kamiah, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during landing.

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.

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