# NTSB CHI83LA178: Piper PA-38-112, N2607B, Wadsworth, OH, April 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1983, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Wadsworth, OH
- Coordinates: 41.019504, -81.730056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0195&lon=-81.7301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PASSENGER, WHO WAS BUILDING AN ULTRALIGHT ACFT, WAS IN THE LEFT SEAT & WAS BEING FAMILIARIZED WITH FLT PROCEDURES. THE INSTRUCTOR DETERMINED THAT THE WINDS AT AN UNCONTROLLED ARPT WERE LIGHT FROM 160 DEG. HE MADE 3 CALLS ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, BUT GOT NO REPLY, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 19. WHILE ON A SHORT FINAL HE NOTICED ANOTHER ACFT LANDING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. REPORTEDLY, THE INSTRUCTOR INITIATED A GO-AROUND & STARTED A TURN TO AVOID A COLLISION. HE STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, WHICH MADE FURTHER STABILIZED FLIGHT IMPOSSIBLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE LANDED IN A PLOWED FIELD TO AVOID FLYING INTO TREES. HOWEVER, AT THE LAST MOMENT DURING THE LANDING, THE RIGHT WING DIPPED & HIT THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2607B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2607B-1988-07-15), registration cancelled 1988-07-15, S/N 3879A0150 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0151
- Airframe hours: 1161
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mckinley Air Transport, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 1982, 87 hours before
- Departed: CAK, AKRON, OH
- Airport: 3G3, Wadsworth, runway 19, 3,535 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 360 total, 8 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830423015179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830423015179A), Apr 23, 1983: Piper PA38112, Wadsworth, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted go around after noticing another aircraft landing head on. Aircraft stalled and crashed.

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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