# NTSB ATL82DA239: Piper PA-38, N2514E, Huntsville, AL, August 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1982, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.800567, -86.599792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8006&lon=-86.5998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA239

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A FLIGHT CHECK TO OBTAIN A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE. THE FLIGHT EXAMINER HAD INSTRUCTED HIM TO STAY IN THE PATTERN AND DEMONSTRATE A SHORT FIELD APPROACH AND LANDING. THE FLIGHT EXAMINER STATED THAT ON FINAL APPROACH, THE AIMING POINT SEEMED A LITTLE SHORT, BUT OTHERWISE, THE APPROACH WAS SATISFACTORY UNTIL THE STUDENT SUDDENLY REDUCED THE POWER. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE AND THE STUDENT WAS INSTRUCTED TO GET THE NOSE UP. HE RAISED THE NOSE, BUT DID NOT APPLY POWER. THE EXAMINER THEN APPLIED POWER, BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A FENCE POST ABOUT 30 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2514E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2514E-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N 38-78A0477, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- 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: 38-78A0477
- Airframe hours: 1226
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Carlton Franklin
- Registered owner: Muscle Shoals Aviation
- Departed: M82, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: M82, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Airport: M82, North Huntsville, runway 18, 3,775 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 56 total, 56 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Observed at: HSV

## 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 19820815041589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820815041589A), Aug 15, 1982: Piper PA38112, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Student pilot on first landing attempt of a flight test, struck a fencepost on short final..

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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