# NTSB CHI89LA074: Piper PA-38-112, N9223T, Griffith, IN, April 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1989, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Griffith, IN
- Coordinates: 41.520442, -87.420158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5204&lon=-87.4202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA074

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION AND MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER IN SOFT TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

UPON HIS RETURN FROM THE PRACTICE AREA, THE STUDENT PILOT ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM A FULL STOP LANDING ON RUNWAY 8 AT GRIFFITH, INDIANA. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE 030 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS BY A WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITY LOCATED 6 NM NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPORT. ON THE FIRST TWO ATTEMPTS, THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO GO-AROUND BECAUSE HE WAS DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT TO LAND, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS USING PROPER CROSSWIND CORRECTIONS, AND FELT THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN IT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY INTO A SANDY AREA, WHERE IT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9223T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9223T-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 38-78A0282, 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: 38-78A0282
- Airframe hours: 2775
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Great Northern Aircraft Sales
- Registered owner: Great Northern Arcft Sales
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 1988
- Departed: 05C, GRIFFITH, IN
- Airport: 05C, Griffith, runway 8, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 21 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 6 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 19890415008109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890415008109A), Apr 15, 1989: Piper PA38112, Griffith, IN, Substantial damage. Student lost control in crosswind landing. Left the runway, hit a sandbank and flipped over.

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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