# NTSB BFO91FA048: Piper PA-38-112, N9285, Odessa, DE, May 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1991, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Odessa, DE
- Coordinates: 39.44976, -75.660026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4498&lon=-75.6600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11624
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11624/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECOVER FROM A STALL. CONTRIBUTING WAS AN INTENTIONAL STALL OF THE AIRCRAFT, PILOT INEXPEREINCE AND INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A WITNESS SAID THEY SAW THE ACFT FLYING IN THE AREA FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES DOING A MANEUVER IN WHICH THE ACFT BANKED AND DESCENDED WITH ENGINE POWER INCREASING DURING THE DESCENT. THE WITNESSES SAID THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITH THE ACCIDENT OCCURING THE THIRD TIME. HE SAID THE ACFT WAS AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING THE MANEUVER. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SWAMP IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE STUDENT PLT FAILED HIS PRIVATE PILOT TEST FLIGHT ABOUT A WEEK EARLIER. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, DURING THE TEST HE FAILED ALL FLIGHT PHASES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON HIS SECOND FLIGHT SINCE THE TEST, NEITHER OF WHICH INVOLVED DUAL INSTRUCTION WITH HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9285 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78A0320
- Airframe hours: 7368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dawn Aeronautics, Inc
- Registered owner: Dawn Aeronautics, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1991, 14 hours before
- Departed: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 97 total, 71 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 15 nm away

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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