# NTSB CHI01LA228: Piper PA-38-112, N23475, Tracy, MN, July 23, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 2001, 20:30 local (Jul 23, 2001, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Tracy, MN - Coordinates: 44.230663, -95.610885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2307&lon=-95.6109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 52825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52825/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA228 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall during the initial takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were the student pilot's premature lift-off of the airplane during the initial takeoff, the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision, and the fences. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - stall/mush - inadvertent, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - lift-off - premature, dual student (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The instructor pilot said he was conducting a biennial flight review for the dual student. The instructor pilot said the student held back pressure during the initial takeoff to get the nose wheel off of the runway. He said he noted the airspeed as approximately 50 to 55 knots indicated. The student pilot started to get the main gear off the runway, but the airspeed was still low. The instructor pilot said he allowed the student pilot to increase back pressure on the yoke. The instructor pilot said this stalled the airplane and increased the sink rate. The airplane hit the ground on the south end of the runway. It struck a fence and stopped in a soybean field. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2001, at 2030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N23475, operated by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it overran runway 17 (1,918 feet by 200 feet, dry grass/turf) at the Tracy Municipal Airport, Tracy, Minnesota, went through crops, and impacted two fences during takeoff roll. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The instructor pilot and dual student, a commercial pilot, on board the airplane reported no injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the instructor pilot said he was conducting a biennial flight review for the dual student. The instructor pilot said the student held back pressure during the initial takeoff to get the nose wheel off of the runway. He said he noted the airspeed as approximately 50 to 55 knots indicated. The student pilot started to get the main gear off the runway, but the airspeed was still low. The instructor pilot said he allowed the student pilot to increase back pressure on the yoke. The instructor pilot said this stalled the airplane and increased the sink rate. The airplane hit the ground on the south end of the runway. It struck a fence and stopped in a soybean field. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident scene. The airplane was resting upright in a soybean field south of the airport. Preceding the airplane, 40 foot long tire marks were observed in an alfalfa field just off the end of the runway. The airport perimeter fence approximately 200 feet from the end of the runway was broken. Additionally, the perimeter fence around the soybean field was broken. The airplane's left main landing gear was located at this fence. The airplane's cowling was crushed aft and bent. The airplane's nose gear was broken aft. The bottom 1/4 of the airplane's firewall was bent aft. The propeller showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. Both wings were crushed aft along the wings' leading edges. The fuselage was twisted aft of the doors. The empennage was twisted left approximately 30 degrees. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23475](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23475-2006-09-21), registration cancelled 2006-09-21, S/N 38-81A0142, built 1981 (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: 38-8140142 - Airframe hours: 7021 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Matthew Hagen Sederstrom - Registered owner: Sw Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2001, 70.6 hours before - Departed: Y68, TRACY, MN - Destination: MML, MARSHALL, MN - Airport: Y68, Tracy Municipal Airport, runway 17, 1,918 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review August 8, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 379 total, 53 in this make and model, 379 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 5, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 332 total, 332 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: MML, 16 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 20010722018779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010722018779A), Jul 22, 2001: Piper PA38112, Tracy, MN, No damage. (.19) On July 22, 2001, at 2100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N23475, operated by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it overran runway 17… 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.