# NTSB CHI85LA025: Piper PA-38-112, N9844T, Minneapolis, MN, October 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1984, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.899478, -93.369659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8995&lon=-93.3697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA025

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - vibration (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ON INITIAL CLIMB FROM TAKEOFF, THE PLT NOTED THE ENGINE COWLING WAS LOOSE AND VIBRATRING. PLT INITIATED A SHALLOW TURN BACK FOR LANDING BUT PREOCCUPATION WITH THE COWLING CAUSED HIM TO ALLOW THE ACFT TO ENTER A STEEP BANK. DURING THE PLT'S ATTEMPTS TO REDUCE BANK ANGLE, THE STALL WARNING HORN CAME ON. THE PLT'S RESPONSE WAS TO INCREASE BACK PRESSURE ON THE ELEVATOR CONTROL AND APPLY RIGHT RUDDER. THE ACFT STALLED AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND IN UNCONTROLLED FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9844T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3
- Airframe hours: 1943
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thunderbird Aviation Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1984, 2 hours before
- Departed: MIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: LITCHFIELD, MN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MIC, Crystall, runway 23R, 2,500 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 42 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19841023060999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841023060999A), Oct 23, 1984: Piper PA38112, Minneapolis, MN, Destroyed. Student pilot was distracted by loose engine cowling during climb after takeoff. Airplane 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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