# NTSB CHI85FA186: Piper PA-38-112, N2475L, Lakeville, MN, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 14:12 local (19:12 UTC)
- Place: Lakeville, MN
- Coordinates: 44.669353, -93.239273 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6694&lon=-93.2393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA186

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A SPIN FROM APRX 3000 FT AGL. THE ACFT CONTINUED THE SPIN TO GROUND CONTACT WHICH WITNESSES STATED OCCURRED AS THE ACFT SEEMED TO LEVEL OFF. WITNESSES ALSO REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT PERFORM AEROBATICS, WHICH INCLUDED LOOPS, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2475L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3879A0715
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thunderbird Aircraft Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: LAKEVILLE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 18 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 19850505018809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505018809A), May 5, 1985: Piper PA38112, Lakeville, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was seen doing spins and loops at low altitude. Entered spin and impacted ground.

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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