# NTSB CHI86FEX01: Piper PA-38-112, N3768U, Terre Haute, IN, October 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1985, 14:24 local (19:24 UTC)
- Place: Terre Haute, IN
- Coordinates: 39.469261, -87.380722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4693&lon=-87.3807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEX01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEX01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command(cfi)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ACFT RT MAIN & NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS DURING TAKEOFF. THE STUDENT PLT WAS AT THE CONTROLS WHEN THE ENG QUIT AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL. THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS AND TURNED LEFT TOWARD A TAXIWAY FOR THE LANDING. THE ACFT LANDED BETWEEN THE RWY & TAXIWAY IN A GROUTH OF SOYBEANS. THE CULTIVATED AREA COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR BENDING THE RT WING DURING THE SLIDING STOP. POST ACC INSPECTION SHOWED NO ABNORMALITIES OR DEFECTS IN THE POWERPLANT OR SYSTEMS. WX CONDITIONS WERE NOT CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICING AND NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE CARBURETOR ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3768U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3768U-1989-09-08), registration cancelled 1989-09-08, S/N 3878A0301 (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: 38-78A0301
- Airframe hours: 831
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: H And D Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: HUF, TERRE HAUTE, IN
- Destination: HUF, TERRE HAUTE, IN
- Airport: HUF, Hulman Regional, runway 13, 5,290 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 328 total, 97 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUF, 1 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 19851002028459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851002028459A), Oct 2, 1985: Piper PA38112, Terre Haute, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit during the takeoff. Landed and rolled into a soy bean field on the airport where the landing gear failed

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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