# NTSB ATL87LA013: Piper PA-38-112, N2373G, Winston-Salem, NC, October 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1986, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Winston-Salem, NC
- Location: 36.1337° N, 80.2220° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SMITH REYNOLDS (INT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1337&lon=-80.2220&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): 7343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS, N2373G LOST POWER DURING A GO-AROUND. THE FLIGHT WAS INSTRUCTED TO GO-AROUND DUE TO ANOTHER AIRCRAFT ON RUNWAY 03. THE PILOT REVERSED HIS COURSE TOWARD RUNWAY 21. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES SHORT OF RUNWAY 21. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL RECOVERED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2373G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2373G-1989-09-18), registration cancelled 1989-09-18, S/N 3879A0508 (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: 38-794-0508
- Airframe hours: 1340
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Piedmont Avn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1986, 64 hours before
- Airport: INT, Smith Reynolds, runway 3, 4,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 24 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19861031052619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861031052619A), Oct 31, 1986: Piper PA38112, Winston Salem, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit in pattern from fuel exhaustion. Landed short of the runway. Solo student counseled on fuel usage.

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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