# NTSB BFO91LA044: Piper PA-38-112, N2535N, New Castle, DE, April 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1991, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: New Castle, DE
- Coordinates: 39.659484, -75.569549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6595&lon=-75.5695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA044

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,taxiway marking

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF BY THE CONTROL TOWER, HE WAS TOLD THAT THE WIND WAS 320 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS.  HE STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED LEFT.  HE TOOK CORRECTIVE ACTION BY APPLYING RIGHT AILERON AND RIGHT RUDDER, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY WHERE IT STRUCK A TAXIWAY SIGN.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD MORE INSTRUCTION AND PRACTICE IN CROSSWIND AND GUST CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2535N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0904
- Airframe hours: 3741
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dawn Aeronautics, Inc
- Registered owner: Dawn Aeronautics, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 4, 1991, 30 hours before
- Airport: ILG, New Castle County, runway 32, 4,594 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 65 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 20 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG

## 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 19910410061989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910410061989A), Apr 10, 1991: Piper PA38112, Wilmington, DE, Substantial damage. Veered left into gusty crosswind on takeoff. Left the runway striking a taxiway sign and stopped.

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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