# NTSB CHI89LA073: Piper PA-38-112, N2601A, Brazil, IN, April 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1989, 22:20 local (Apr 22, 1989, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Brazil, IN
- Coordinates: 39.519855, -87.119667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5199&lon=-87.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA073

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO ESTABLISH A PROPER GLIDEPATH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION, THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY, AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONDUCT HIS FINAL APPROACH AT A LOWER ALTITUDE FROM THE GROUND THAN DURING HIS PREVIOUS LANDING AT ANOTHER AIRPORT ON THIS DAY DUE TO THE PREVIOUS APPROACH RESULTING IN A LONG LANDING. THE APPROACH WAS ON A DARK NIGHT AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY FOLLOWED BY AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES, HOWEVER HIS PASSENGER REPORTED NO INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2601A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2601A-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 38-78A0771, 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: 38-78A0771
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Winn, David
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: 4A9, FT. PAYNE, AL
- Airport: 0I2, Clay County, runway 27, 2,940 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: HUF, 10 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 19890421009789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890421009789A), Apr 21, 1989: Piper PA38112, Brazil, IN, Substantial damage. Struck trees and crashed short of runway while landing at night. No biennial flight review and expired medical.

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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