# NTSB ATL90LA021: Piper PA-38, N2412N, Lafayette, GA, October 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1989, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, GA
- Coordinates: 34.699707, -85.280792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6997&lon=-85.2808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER LEFT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INSPECT THE AIRPLANE WHEEL FOR DAMAGE AFTER IT DROPPED OFF THE RUNWAY DURING TAXI.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - runway
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - bent
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, PILOT ALLOWED LEFT WHEEL TO DROP OFF PAVEMENT. DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, AIRCRAFT VEERED LEFT, WENT OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 600 FEET FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY AN FAA CERTIFIED MECHANIC REVEALED THE LEFT BRAKE ROTOR HAD BEEN DAMAGED WHEN THE WHEEL DROPPED OFF THE PAVEMENT, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE TO DRAG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2412N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2412N-2017-06-19), registration cancelled 2017-06-19, S/N 38-79A0829, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0829
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cohutta Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1989, 15 hours before
- Airport: 9A5, Barwick Lafayette, runway 2, 4,270 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 4 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891028066469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891028066469A), Oct 28, 1989: Piper PA38112, Lafayette, GA, Substantial damage. On taxi for takeoff left wheel dropped off taxiway and bent brake rotor. Ignored by pilot ran off runway on takeoff

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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