# NTSB CHI85LA189: Piper PA-38-112, N2588F, Tyler, MN, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Tyler, MN
- Coordinates: 44.269767, -96.129409 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2698&lon=-96.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA189

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

PLT STATED HE WAS ABOUT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF DURING THE LONG GROUND RUN WHEN THE ACFT LIFTED OFF. AT 30 TO 40 FT AGL ACFT BEGAN TO SINK. ACFT CONTACTED A FENCE POST AND TOUCHED DOWN IN A PLOWED FIELD. NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND ACFT NOSED OVER. PLT PREVIOUSLY ABORTED ONE TAKEOFF BECAUSE OF A LONG TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. AIRSTRIP BEING USED WAS REPORTED AS BEING SOFTER THAN NORMAL. POST ACCIDENT ENGINE TEST RUN REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. PLT REPORTED, 'THERE IS A LARGE GROVE OF TREES & BUILDINGS DIRECTLY EAST OF SOUTH PART OF RUNWAY WHICH UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITION, AN EAST WIND COULD CAUSE A DOWNDRAFT OR LOW LIFT CONDITION.' LOCAL WINDS WERE FROM THEEAST DURING THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2588F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0489
- Airframe hours: 2839
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond Johnson
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1985, 64 hours before
- Airport: 63Y, Tyler Muni, runway 16, 2,500 × 180 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 568 total, 557 in this make and model, 245 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWF, 49 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 19850505019109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505019109A), May 5, 1985: Piper PA38112, Tyler, MN, Substantial damage. Aircraft would not climb after takeoff from soft grass field. Struck a fence post and nosed over in a field.

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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