# NTSB CHI90LA051: Piper PA-38-112, N2605P, Griffith, IN, December 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1989, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Griffith, IN
- Coordinates: 41.520854, -87.419113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5209&lon=-87.4191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA051

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF (NORMAL) BRAKES.  HIS DECISION TO MAKE A RUNNING TAKEOFF, HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND THE SNOWBANK WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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
  - running takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER THE STUDENT PILOT PERFORMED UNEVENTFUL TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS, HIS FLT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) EXITED THE ACFT TO ALLOW THE STUDENT TO FLY SOLO. THE STUDENT TAXIED BACK TO THE RWY. HE STATED HE 'ROLLED OUT ONTO THE RUNWAY WITHOUT STOPPING, CENTERED THE PLANE ON THE RUNWAY, AND APPLIED FULL THROTTLE,' BUT THE PLANE GOT OUT OF CONTROL. HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE &'LOCKED UP' THE BRAKES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A PILE OF PLOWED SNOW & CAME TO REST APRX 20 FT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE STUDENT HAD NEARLY 18 HRS OF FLT TIME, OF WHICH, 1/2 HR WAS SOLO TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2605P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A1043
- Airframe hours: 3622
- 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; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 13, 1989, 7 hours before
- Departed: 05C
- Destination: 05C
- Airport: 05C, Griffith, runway 26, 4,013 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19891228053649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891228053649A), Dec 28, 1989: Piper PA38112, Griffith, IN, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost control on rolling takeoff from taxiway onto runway. Aircraft struck snowbank on runway edge.

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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