# NTSB CHI91LA114: Piper PA-38-112, N26009, Burlington, IA, March 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1991, 14:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, IA
- Coordinates: 40.800052, -91.120018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8001&lon=-91.1200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA114

## Probable cause

DELAYED INITIATION OF REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE GUSTY CROSSWINDS, INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND NOT MAINTAINING AIRSPEED BY THE STUDENT PILOT, AND COMPLACENCY BY THE INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, dual student (contributing factor)
  - complacency, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DUAL STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH CROSSWIND 40 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF RUNWAY HEADING, AND WIND OF 15 GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS REPORTED BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.  AT APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET AGL A GUST WAS ENCOUNTERED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF 15 KNOTS AIRSPEED,  AND AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND DEVELOP SINK RATE.  FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL AND INITIATED GO-AROUND BUT AIRCRAFT STRUCK VASI LIGHTS AND MADE HARD LANDING TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26009](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26009-1991-11-21), registration cancelled 1991-11-21, S/N 3881A0098 (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: 38-81A0098
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-LCZ 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Remmers Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: BRL, Burlington Muni, runway 18, 5,491 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,544 total, 65 in this make and model, 1,302 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRL, 1 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 19910321006739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910321006739A), Mar 21, 1991: Piper PA38112, Burlington, IA, Substantial damage. Downdraft and windshear on final. CFI took over but unable to arrest descent rate. Struck VASI. Impacted off runway

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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