# NTSB ATL88LA224: Piper PA-38-112, N26045, Reidsville, NC, August 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1988, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Reidsville, NC
- Coordinates: 36.34008, -79.669288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3401&lon=-79.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY & INTO A DITCH. A CROSSWIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE LEFT AT THE TIME. THE OPERATOR RPRTD THAT TIRE MARKS FROM THE NOSE & RIGHT MAIN GEAR WERE VISIBLE ON THE RWY. THE STUDENT HAD ABOUT 8 HRS OF SOLO EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26045](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26045), registered now, S/N 38-81A0112, built 1981 (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: 38-81A0112
- Airframe hours: 1837
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Causey Aviation Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Causey Aviation Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 1988, 61 hours before
- Airport: NC14, Rockingham County-Shiloh, runway 13, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 21 nm away

## 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 19880802029579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880802029579A), Aug 2, 1988: Piper PA38112, Reidsville, NC, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in a crosswind. Turned into wind left the runway and struck 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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