# NTSB ATL85FA147: Piper PA-38-112, N2490A, Monroe, NC, April 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1985, 14:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, NC
- Coordinates: 35.070934, -80.52005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0709&lon=-80.5200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 83-14-08](https://openairdocs.org/ad/83-14-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - initial climb
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RWY 23 (APRX 120 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END) FOLLOWING A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING AN INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A STEEP CLIMB ON TAKEOFF AFTER WHICH THE RIGHT WING DROPPED. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A SPIN PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE RWY. SEVERAL PEOPLE REPORTED HAVING SEEN THE PLT PERFORM AN ABRUPT PULL-UP DURING TAKEOFF VARIOUS TIMES PRECEEDING THE ACCIDENT FLT. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED THAT AD 83-14-08 REGARDING INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL FLOW STRIPS ON THE WINGS HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2490A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2490A-2005-02-07), registration cancelled 2005-02-07, S/N 38-78A0710, built 1978 (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: 38-7810710
- Airframe hours: 1906
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Equipment Leasing, Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 18, 1985, 126 hours before
- Destination: MADISON, GA
- Airport: EQY, Monroe, runway 23, 4,800 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,034 total, 446 in this make and model, 898 as pilot in command, 305 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 20 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 19850426016099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850426016099A), Apr 26, 1985: Piper PA38112, Monroe, NC, Destroyed. Entered spin after takeoff, hit runway. Seen on previous days in steep climbs and banks after takeoff.

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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