# NTSB CHI86LA181: Piper PA-38-112, N2444N, Middleton, WI, July 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1986, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Middleton, WI
- Coordinates: 43.100582, -89.499488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1006&lon=-89.4995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA181

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI AND STUDENT HAD BEEN PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO'S AND HAD JUST MADE A FULL STOP LANDING. THE CFI REPORTED THAT DURING A SUBSEQUENT SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF, ACCELLERATION SEEMED A LITTLE SLOW, AND AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE AIRCRAFT SEEMED TO STOP ACCELERATING ALTOGETHER. REPORTEDLY, THE STALL WARNING SYSTEM BEEPED A FEW TIMES AND THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK UNEVEN TERRAIN (A ROAD) AND CRASHED. THE CFI ALSO REPORTED PRACTICING SOFT FIELD TAKEOFFS IN THE SAME AIRCRAFT JUST PRIOR TO THIS LESSON. AN INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY DEFECTS WITH THE AIRCRAFT. THE CFI HAD A TOTAL OF ONLY 320 HOURS OF FLYING TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2444N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2444N-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N 3879A0845 (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: 38-79A0845
- Airframe hours: 3351
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Four Lakes Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 24, 1986, 2 hours before
- Airport: C29, Morey, runway 18, 2,260 × 135 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 320 total, 55 in this make and model, 258 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °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 19860726040809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860726040809A), Jul 26, 1986: Piper PA38112, Middleton, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft would not remain airborne after takeoff with low airspeed.

## Other investigations on N2444N (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI83LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA174), Apr 21, 1983: Piper PA-38-112 (N2444N), Middleton, WI, substantial damage

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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