# NTSB BFO92LA018: Piper PA-38-112, N9483T, Richmond, RI, January 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1992, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, RI
- Location: 41.7701° N, 71.6226° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Richmond, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7701&lon=-71.6226&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA018

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING ROLLOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - misjudged, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING OF A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT HE FLARED PREMATURELY AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, TOUCHING DOWN LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO ROLLOUT LEFT OF THE CENTERLINE AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. TO AVOID HITTING A RUNWAY LIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO MANUEVER TO THE LEFT OF THE LIGHT SUBSEQUENTLY HITTING A TREE WITH THE LEFT WINGTIP. THE AIRPLANE SPUN TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST IN AN EMBANKMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9483T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9483T), registered now, S/N 38-78A0113, built 1978 (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: 38-78A0113
- Airframe hours: 2919
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Quonset Flight Center
- Registered owner: Quonset Flight Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 31, 1991, 19 hours before
- Departed: OQU, N. KINGSTON, RI
- Airport: RI04, Richmond, runway 29, 2,130 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 48 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920112000459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920112000459A), Jan 12, 1992: Piper PA38112, West Kingston, RI, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing flare. Angled off runway. Swerved avoid runway light and struck a tree. Spun into embankment

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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