# NTSB ATL82FA001: Piper PA-38, N2591C, Gadsden, AL, October 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 1, 1981
- Place: Gadsden, AL · GADSDEN, AL
- Location: 34.0143° N, 86.0066° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gadsden, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0143&lon=-86.0066&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 26, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80035
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA001

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3361   81/10/1   GADSDEN,AL          PIPER PA-38         CR-  1  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             PRIVATE, AGE 19, 49 TOTAL
        TIME - 0830                    N2591C              PX-  1  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GADSDEN,AL                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR: INADEQUATE TRAINING OF STUDENT
           PERSONNEL - OPERATIONAL SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: INADEQUATE FLIGHT TRAINING-PROCEDURES
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
        REMARKS- PLND STALLS,ENCTRD SPIN,ATMTD RCVRY W PWR,FLAPS DWN.PIPER SL 876 RCMDG 2 ADNL FLOW STRIPS NCW.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2591C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2591C-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 38-79A0248, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19811001064549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811001064549A), Oct 1, 1981: Piper PA38112, Gadsden, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Failed to recover from unintentional spin entered during practice stall. Student not trained in spin procedures.

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.

---
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.
