# NTSB CHI90FA193: Piper PA-38, N2508D, Hinckley, IL, July 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1990, 19:36 local (Jul 25, 1990, 00:36 UTC)
- Place: Hinckley, IL
- Coordinates: 41.760532, -88.640182 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7605&lon=-88.6402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA193

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INABILITY TO RECOVER FROM A STALL/SPIN. FACTORS WERE: ACFT WT & BALANCE EXCEEDED, AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S AND STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH ACFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command(cfi)
  - stall/spin - performed (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT AND INSTRUCTOR PILOT WERE FLYING A MODEL NEW TO THEM. THE STUDENT HAD NEVER FLOWN WITH THIS INSTRUCTOR BEFORE. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING IN THE TRAINING AREA, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE SPIN TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS OVER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF AND AT ACCIDENT. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. ELEVATOR TRIM WAS FULL NOSE UP. BOTH PILOTS HAD FLOWN A MAJORITY OF THEIR FLIGHT TIME IN ANOTHER MAKE AND MODEL FOR WHICH THE SPIN RECOVERY PROCEDURE AND THE USEFUL LOAD ABOVE FULL FUEL ARE DIFFERENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2508D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2508D-2012-08-21), registration cancelled 2012-08-21, S/N 38-79A0345, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- 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: 38-79A0345
- Airframe hours: 4322
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Lumanair, Inc
- Registered owner: Lumanair, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1990, 43 hours before
- Departed: ARR, AURORA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 990 total, 8 in this make and model, 886 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 9 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 19900724028329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900724028329A), Jul 24, 1990: Piper PA38112, Chicago/Aurora, IL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed spinning to impact. Over gross. Full flaps full up. Trim fuel unported.

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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