# NTSB BFO88FID03: Piper PA-38-112, N2601C, Chesapeake, VA, May 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1988, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Chesapeake, VA
- Coordinates: 36.799507, -76.419555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7995&lon=-76.4196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FID03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FID03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DOING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS. DURING CLIMBOUT ENGINE POWER LOSS OCCURRED AT AN ESTIMATED 300 FT AGL. THE PILOT RADIOED MAYDAY AND A WITNESS STATED HE HEARD THE STALL HORN DURING THE TRANSMISSION. AFTERWARDS THE ACFT PITCHED DOWN AND SPUN TO THE GROUND. ENGINE EXAMINATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2601C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2601C-2000-03-07), registration cancelled 2000-03-07, S/N 38-79A0252 (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: 38-79A0252
- Airframe hours: 2620
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Curtis Eads
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 1988, 19 hours before
- Airport: PVG, Hampton Roads, runway 10, 4,000 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 14 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 19880512015169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880512015169A), May 12, 1988: Piper PA38112, Portsmouth, VA, Destroyed. Student pilot crashed on climbout when engine quit. Stalled and crashed in a field. Heat was on and flaps were down

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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