# NTSB ANC89FA133: Piper PA-38-112, N2424N, Anchorage, AK, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1989, 17:36 local (Aug 6, 1989, 01:36 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220932, -149.849716 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2209&lon=-149.8497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA133

## Probable cause

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.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - fuel system,primer system - not secured
  - ignition system,ignition switch - corroded
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT HAD JUST COMPLETED HER 4TH TOUCH-&-GO LNDG. WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST PWR. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A LEFT TURN, AS IF TO RTRN BACK TO THE RWY, THEN IT ENTERED A STALL/SPIN & CRASHED APRX 1/2 MI WEST OF THE ARPT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FND, EXCEPT THE ENG PRIMER WAS FND APRX 3/4 OF THE WAY OUT FROM THE LOCKED PSN, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD SVRL ELECTRICAL CONTACTS BROKEN OFF & ITS SWITCH CONTACTS WERE DIRTY WITH CARBON DEPOSITS. THE IGNITION SWITCH, HOWEVER, WAS BADLY DAMAGED FROM IMPACT. NEITHER THE PRIMER NOR THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD BE VERIFIED AS HAVING EFFECTED THE ENG PROBLEM. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 70 & 58 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO CARB ICING CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2424N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2424N-1991-12-11), registration cancelled 1991-12-11, S/N 3879A0836 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3879A0836
- Airframe hours: 2235
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mills, Lori, doing business as Vernair Inc.
- Registered owner: Vermair Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 26, 1989, 75 hours before
- Airport: MRI, Merrill, runway 24, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 27 total, 27 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890805027269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890805027269A), Aug 5, 1989: Piper PA38112, Anchorage, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Student began turn back and stalled. Impacted vertical. Mag switch defect. Primer unlocked

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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