# NTSB ATL86LA134: Piper PA-38, N25737, Enterprise, AL, May 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Enterprise, AL
- Coordinates: 31.320697, -85.840194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3207&lon=-85.8402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7103
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7103/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DURING THE TOUCHDOWN LANDING PHASE ON RUNWAY 23, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE AND CRASHED FOLLOWING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR A TREE LINE OFF THE DEPARTURE END. AS THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY AIRCRAFT MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25737](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25737-1989-01-27), registration cancelled 1989-01-27, S/N 3881A0068 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0068
- Airframe hours: 1148
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carey E. Slay
- Registered owner: Mac-Air Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 29, 1986, 31 hours before
- Airport: EDN, Enterprise, runway 23, 3,500 × 80 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 7 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN

## 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 19860517017889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517017889A), May 17, 1986: Piper PA38112, Enterprise, AL, Destroyed. Bounced, veered off the runway side. Went around but saw he could not clear trees. Landed on grass, hit a ditch.

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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