# NTSB ATL82FID05: Piper PA-38-112, N2466B, Charlottesville, VA, January 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1982, 20:00 local (Jan 28, 1982, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Charlottesville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.089252, -78.559982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0893&lon=-78.5600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FID05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FID05

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER PERFORMING FOUR SUCCESSFUL NIGHT APPROACHES THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A SHORT FIELD APPROACH WITH THE LANDING LIGHT OFF.ON FINAL HE STATED IT APPEARED HE WAS GETTING TOO LOW SO HE TURNED THE LANDING LIGHT ON AND CONTINUED THE APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A BANK 50 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTINUED THROUGH A SNOWBANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2466B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2466B), registered now, S/N 38-79A0073 (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: 38-79A0073
- Airframe hours: 688
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry W. Garton
- Registered owner: Atlantic Aero Inc.
- Departed: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Destination: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Airport: CHO, Albemarle, runway 3, 6,000 × 0 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 203 total, 85 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820127002669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820127002669A), Jan 27, 1982: Piper PA38112, Charlottesville, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft got too low on final approach striking a bank and a snowbank short of the runway.

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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