# NTSB CHI84LA005: Piper PA-38, N26093, Portage, MI, October 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1983, 10:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Portage, MI
- Location: 42.2012° N, 85.5800° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Portage, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2012&lon=-85.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON HIS 1ST SOLO FLT. HE STATED THAT DURING THE 1ST LANDING, THE ACFT TURNED RIGHT WHILE IT WAS STILL A FEW FEET OFF THE GROUND. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD A BAD LANDING SO HE ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND. DURING THE GO-AROUND, THE ACFT TURNED TO THE LEFT & SUBSEQUENTLY HIT TREES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26093](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26093-2017-12-26), registration cancelled 2017-12-26, S/N 38-81A0115, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- 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
- Airframe hours: 421
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bartell Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 19, 1983
- Departed: 09C, KALAMAZOO, MI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 09C, Austin Lake, runway 23, 3,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19831002052639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831002052639A), Oct 2, 1983: Piper PA38112, Austen Lake, MI, Substantial damage. Student pilot attempted go around after bad landing and aircraft crashed into trees.

## Other investigations on N26093 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI82DA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA028), Jan 19, 1982: Piper PA-38-112 (N26093), Grand Rapids, MI, substantial damage

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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