# NTSB CHI89LA147: Piper PA-38-112, N25687, River Falls, WI, July 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1989, 11:06 local (16:06 UTC)
- Place: River Falls, WI
- Coordinates: 44.850215, -92.620635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8502&lon=-92.6206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA147

## Probable cause

IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AVIATION EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - pull-up - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING. WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT ALL SAW THE AIRPLANE IN A STEEP TURNING DESCENT WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PIC HAD IN HIS POSSESSION A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN 1948. A REVIEW OF THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK SHOWED A TOTAL OF 39.7 FLIGHT HOURS OF AVIATION EXPERIENCE OVER 40 YEARS. APPROXIMATELY 22 OF THOSE FLIGHT HOURS WERE OBTAINED WHEN HE RESUMED FLYING AFTER A 39 YEAR HIATUS. A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION SHOWED NO DEFECTS IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25687](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25687-1994-06-24), registration cancelled 1994-06-24, S/N 3881A0054 (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: 38-81A0054
- Airframe hours: 3258
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mayer Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 1989, 58 hours before
- Departed: 21D, LAKE ELMO, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 60 total, 38 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STP, 25 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 19890727025429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890727025429A), Jul 27, 1989: Piper PA38112, River Falls, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit during an aerobatic manuever. Aircraft stalled and spun into trees. Found primer unlocked.

## Other investigations on N25687 (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI84LA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA399), Sep 22, 1984: Piper PA-38-112 (N25687), Lake Elmo, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI84LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA061), Dec 18, 1983: Piper PA-38-112 (N25687), Hayward, WI, substantial damage

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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