# NTSB CHI85LA131: Piper PA-38-112, N2365F, Madison, WI, March 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1985, 12:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Madison, WI
- Coordinates: 43.099857, -89.309051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0999&lon=-89.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SNOWBANK DURING TAKEOFF AFTER THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED ON RWY 22. THE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEGREES AT 13 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2365F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2365F-1989-06-29), registration cancelled 1989-06-29, S/N 3879A0403 (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: 38-79A0403
- Airframe hours: 2149
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chaplin Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: SBM, SHEBOYGAN, WI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MSN, Dane County, runway 22, 4,699 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 305 in this make and model, 117 as pilot in command, 305 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN

## 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 19850306008789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850306008789A), Mar 6, 1985: Piper PA38112, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control during crosswind rotation. Aborted and ran off runway where nosewheel collapsed.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.