# NTSB CHI89LA067: Piper PA-38-112, N9504T, Allegan, MI, April 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1989, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Allegan, MI
- Coordinates: 42.519927, -85.840095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5199&lon=-85.8401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA067

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE STUDENT PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE; AND THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S (CFI'S) INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE CROSSWIND CONDITION, THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, THE CFI'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION, AND SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT INITIATED THE TAKEOFF ROLL WITH AILERON INTO THE WIND (LEFT AILERON), BUT THAT HE RELAXED AILERON PRESSURE PREMATURELY. WHEN INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE LEFT AILERON, THE STUDENT REACTED BY APPLYING LEFT RUDDER & LEFT BRAKE. AT THAT TIME, THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE TRAVELING ABOUT 45 TO 50 MPH. THE ACFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT & THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY, ENCOUNTERED 'SOFT GRASS' & WAS DAMAGED. THE STUDENT HAD ONLY 4 HRS OF FLT TIME. THE CFI HAD OBTAINED HIS CFI RATING ON 12/20/88 & HAD ACCUMULATED 82 HRS OF INSTRUCTION SINCE THAT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9504T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9504T), registered now, S/N 38-78A0119, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0119
- Airframe hours: 1770
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Roblin Enterprises, Inc., doing business as Grandpa'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Roblin Enterprises Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 9, 1989, 40 hours before
- Departed: 35D
- Airport: 35D, Padgham Field, runway 28, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 591 total, 53 in this make and model, 539 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 24 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 19890402007849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890402007849A), Apr 2, 1989: Piper PA38112, Allegan, MI, Substantial damage. Student over controlled for crosswind. Aircraft left runway a wing hit ground. CFI failed to correct deviation.

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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