# NTSB ATL88LA145: Piper PA-38-112, N4233E, Barnwell, SC, April 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1988, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Barnwell, SC
- Coordinates: 33.240573, -81.36071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2406&lon=-81.3607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine compartment - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COWLING UNFASTENED AND BEGAN FLUTTERING VIOLENTLY. THE INSTRUCTOR ASSUMED CONTROL OF ACFT & MADE A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO A CULTIVATED FIELD. THE ACFT NOSED UP SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. AN FAA INSPECTOR AT THE AIRPORT WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT & EXAMINED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE RPTED THAT THE DZEUS FASTENERS IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TOP PORTION OF THE COWL WERE ABSENT. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF THE FASTENERS WAS NOT DETERMINED. A MAINTENANCE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE TAKEOFF WAS BEGUN AT A RWY INTERSECTION LEAVING ABOUT 2500 FT OF A 5,118 FT RWY FOR THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4233E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4233E-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 38-78A0498, 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: 3878A0498
- Airframe hours: 4037
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Crystal Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Harold N. Starling, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 6, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: BNL
- Destination: 99N
- Airport: BNL, Barnwell, runway 34, 5,118 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 402 total, 37 in this make and model, 274 as pilot in command, 119 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880416011629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880416011629A), Apr 16, 1988: Piper PA38112, Barnwell, SC, Substantial damage. Engine cowling came loose in flight, fluttered violently. Plane nosed up landing in soft field. Fasteners missing.

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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