# NTSB ATL85LA196: Piper PA-38-112, N2395G, Mt. Airy, NC, June 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1985, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Airy, NC
- Coordinates: 36.500427, -80.610153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5004&lon=-80.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA196

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE NEARING COMPLETION OF A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG QUIT. THE STUDENT PLT SELECTED AN OPEN AREA, BUT OVERSHOT THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT & THE ACFT CRASHED IN THE BACKYARD OF A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING. AN INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. ONLY ABOUT 3 QTS OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT TANK WAS DAMAGED, SO THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THAT TANK COULD NOT BE VERIFIED. ACCORDING TO THE ARPT MANAGER, THE ACFT SHOULD HAVE HAD AN ENDURANCE OF 5 HRS AT NORMAL POWER. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 4.3 HRS AFTER TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2395G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2395G-2014-09-19), registration cancelled 2014-09-19, S/N 38-79A0516 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0516
- Airframe hours: 3083
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Enterprise
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 30, 1985, 82 hours before
- Departed: MT. AIRY, NC
- Destination: MT AIRY, NC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Mt. Airy

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT

## 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 19850625027879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850625027879A), Jun 25, 1985: Piper PA38112, Mt Airy, NC, Substantial damage. Engine sputtered and quit near end of solo student crosscountry. Probable fuel exhaustion. Landed in a yard.

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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