# NTSB ATL88LA091: Piper PA-38-112, N9265T, Gainesville, GA, February 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1988, 21:20 local (Feb 17, 1988, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, GA
- Location: 34.2726° N, 83.8302° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LEE GILMER MEML (GVL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2726&lon=-83.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PLT RPTD THAT HE INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DESCEND BELOW THE VASI GLIDEPATH WHILE ON SHORT-FINAL, AND THAT HE FAILED TO REACT IN TIME TO CORRECT THE SITUATION.  THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED AN EMBANKMENT SHORT OF THE RWY THRESHOLD, IN A NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE.  THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE HAD 'FIXATED'  ON THE RWY THRESHOLD LIGHTS DURING THE NIGHTTIME APPCH, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO DETECT THE DESCENT BELOW THE GLIDEPATH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9265T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9265T-2011-03-18), registration cancelled 2011-03-18, S/N 38-78A0305, 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: PA-38-112
- Airframe hours: 1993
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Old South Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sigourney Iowa Airport
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1987, 60 hours before
- Departed: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: GVL, GAINESVILLE, GA
- Airport: GVL, Lee Gilmer Memorial, runway 22, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 327 total, 45 in this make and model, 298 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 19 °F

## 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 19880216002599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880216002599A), Feb 16, 1988: Piper PA38112, Gainesville, GA, Substantial damage. Allowed high sink rate to develop on short final. Landed hard short of the runway and hit an embankment.

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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