# NTSB ATL83LA383: Piper PA-38-112, N25814, Apison, TN, September 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1983, 18:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Apison, TN
- Coordinates: 35.009025, -84.999557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0090&lon=-84.9996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA383
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA383

## 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
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not identified, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - distance - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CRASHED DURING TAKEOFF FROM A SHORT GRASS STRIP IN A DOWNWIND DIRECTION. THE WIND VELOCITY WAS 9 KTS. THE STRIP WAS 2300 FT LONG WITH 75 FT TREES AT THE END. UNDER THE EXISTING CONDITIONS THE TAKEOFF COULD NOT BE ACCOMPLISHED ACCORDING TO THE ACFT PERFORMANCE CHARTS. THE CFI DOING THE FLYING ALSO USED IMPROPER AIRSPEEDFOR THE LIFT OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25814](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25814-2012-09-17), registration cancelled 2012-09-17, S/N 38-81A0075, 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: 38-81A0075
- Airframe hours: 1000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flewellan Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 16, 1983, 80 hours before
- Airport: William Airstrip, runway 21, 2,270 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,884 total, 189 in this make and model, 4,009 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 10 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 19830929052399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830929052399A), Sep 29, 1983: Piper PA38112, Apison, TN, Substantial damage. Instructor tried to depart a short grass strip downwind with 75FT trees. Airplane struck trees and crashed.

## Other investigations on N25814 (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 CHI82DA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA315), Jul 30, 1982: Piper PA-38 (N25814), New Haven, IL, 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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