# NTSB CHI88FA153: Piper PA-38-112, N2485N, Hamm Lake, MN, July 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1988, 12:46 local (17:46 UTC)
- Place: Hamm Lake, MN
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA153

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT, EITHER BY THE STUDENT OR BY THE INSTRUCTOR, AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO ALLOW FOR A RECOVERY, BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, BEFORE THE RESULTING OUT OF CONTROL DESCENT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE TO STRIKE THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), dual student
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2485N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2485N-1990-02-08), registration cancelled 1990-02-08, S/N 3879A0867 (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: 79A0867
- Airframe hours: 2990
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Univ. Of Minnesota
- Registered owner: Donald & Sharon Hedquist
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 1988, 14 hours before
- Departed: ANE, ANOKA, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 950 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 20 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 19880703024709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880703024709A), Jul 3, 1988: Piper PA38112, Hamm Lake, MN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted in swamp in uncontrolled descent. No witnesses. Marijuana detected in student.

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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