# NTSB CHI88LA180: Piper PA-38-112, N9291T, St. Jacob, IL, July 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1988, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Jacob, IL
- Coordinates: 38.709968, -89.760299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7100&lon=-89.7603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA180

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE POWER LINES LOCATED OFF OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CLEAR THE POWER LINES, HE ELECTED TO ATTEMPT TO FLY UNDER THEM. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A SECOND (LOWER) SET OF WIRES AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 92 DEGREES F AT THE TIME OF THE ACC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9291T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9291T-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 3878A0329 (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: 38-78A0329
- Airframe hours: 3963
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Shafer, Edward B., doing business as Ed Shafer Instruction
- Registered owner: Shafer, Edward B
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 6, 1988, 16 hours before
- Airport: 3K6, Shafer Metro East Airport, runway 13, 2,600 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 49 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLV, 12 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 19880731028619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880731028619A), Jul 31, 1988: Piper PA38112, St Jacob, IL, Substantial damage. Unable to clear wires on hot day. Hit wires trying to go under upper wires. Failed to use short field procedures.

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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