# NTSB ANC90LA110: Piper PA-38-112, N25759, Cantwell, AK, July 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1990, 21:00 local (Jul 3, 1990, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Cantwell, AK
- Coordinates: 63.009723, -149.399261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0097&lon=-149.3993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO UNDERSTAND THE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS OF THE AIRPLANE AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS OPERATING THE AIRPLANE AT A GREATER THAN ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CLIMB AS WELL AS HE HAD ANTICIPATED, AND THAT THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO BRUSH SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE. UTILIZING WEIGHTS SUPPLIED BY THE PILOT, AS WELL AS THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE DOCUMENTS FROM THE AIRPLANE, DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS 40 POUNDS OVER THE ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. CONSULTING THE PERFORMANCE DATA CONTAINED IN THE AIRPLANE'S OPERATING HANDBOOK REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD REQUIRE CONSIDERABLY MORE RUNWAY THAN WHAT WAS AVAILABLE TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25759](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25759), registered now, S/N 38-81A0071, 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: 38-81A0071
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vernair, Inc.
- Departed: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK
- Airport: Z68, Cantwell, runway 22, 2,100 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 131 total, 91 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N25759 (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 ANC82DA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA024), Mar 5, 1982: Piper PA-38-112 (N25759), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

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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