# NTSB CEN24LA208: Piper PA-38-112, N9715T, Dalhart, TX, June 1, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 1, 2024, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Dalhart, TX - Coordinates: 36.01524, -102.5662 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0152&lon=-102.5662&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194369 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194369/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194369 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA208 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight at a high density altitude, which degraded its climb performance and led an off airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Knowledge: knowledge of meteorologic cond](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the initial climb the airplane reached 300 ft agl and then began to sink. He made a shallow turn, committed to landing in a field, and then began shutting down the engine, fuel, and electrical systems. During landing in the rough field the landing gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Based on information provided by the pilot, the airplane was roughly 100 lbs over the maximum allowable gross weight. The meteorological data for the date and time of the accident was used to calculate an estimated density altitude of 6,473 ft. Surface conditions showed a 20 knot direct headwind gusting to 30 knots for the runway being used and an outside air temperature of 29° Celsius. The performance chart for the airplane at maximum gross weight for these conditions showed a climb performance of about 400 feet per minute (fpm). It is likely that the airplane, which was overweight and operating at a high-density altitude, had a lower climb performance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9715T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9715T-2025-02-05), registration cancelled 2025-02-05, S/N 38-78A0168, 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: 38-78A0168 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3619.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Easy Smiles And Expensive Watches LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2023, 86.5 hours before - Departed: DHT, Dalhart, TX - Destination: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: DHT, Dalhart Muni, runway 21, 5,440 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 187.6 total, 84.1 in this make and model, 135.6 as pilot in command, 55.5 in the last 90 days, 36.7 in the last 30 days, 6.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 20 knots, gusting 34 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KDHT, 1 nm away - METAR: KDHT 011853Z AUTO 21020G34KT 10SM CLR 29/09 A3004 RMK AO2 PK WND 20034/1845 SLP116 T02940094 ## 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 20240601008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240601008009A), Jun 1, 2024: Piper PA-38-112, Dalhart, TX, Substantial damage. On June 1, 2024, at 1415 CDT, a Piper PA-38-112 attempting to climb-out impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was being operated on a personal… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194369. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17289236&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA208%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Performance data (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 542 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17287256&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA208%20-%20MOR%20-%20Performance%20Data-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17286731&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA208%20-%20Photo%20Summary-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.