# NTSB CHI84LA399: Piper PA-38-112, N25687, Lake Elmo, MN, September 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1984, 21:00 local (Sep 22, 1984, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Elmo, MN
- Coordinates: 44.989925, -92.900703 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9899&lon=-92.9007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA399
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA399

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT STATED THAT HE LANDED NEAR THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 13 AND 'RIGHT SIDE OF AIRCRAFT COLLAPSED.' THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT LANDED 50 FEET TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF RUNWAY 13. THE PILOT RECORDED ONLY A TOTAL OF 4 HOURS OF NIGHT TIME, 2 HOURS AS PIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25687](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25687-1994-06-24), registration cancelled 1994-06-24, S/N 3881A0054 (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: 38-81A0054
- Airframe hours: 1596
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mayer Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1984, 900 hours before
- Airport: 21D, Lake Elmo, runway 13, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 822 total, 49 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STP, 30 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 19840921055269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840921055269A), Sep 21, 1984: Piper PA38112, Lake Elmo, MN, Substantial damage. Landed 50 feet to side of runway at night. Right landing gear collapsed.

## Other investigations on N25687 (2)

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 CHI89LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA147), Jul 27, 1989: Piper PA-38-112 (N25687), River Falls, WI, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AVIATION EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
- [NTSB CHI84LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA061), Dec 18, 1983: Piper PA-38-112 (N25687), Hayward, WI, 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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