# NTSB CHI91LA239: Piper PA-38, N6373A, Bridgewater, SD, August 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1991, 20:30 local (Aug 1, 1991, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Bridgewater, SD
- Coordinates: 43.550067, -97.489112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5501&lon=-97.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15136
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15136/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA239

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A FENCE.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AS HE BEGAN ROTATION DURING A TAKEOFF RUN HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND BEGAN SWERVING RIGHT AND LEFT.  THE ACFT SWERVED OFF THE SOD STRIP AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL AIRFRAME DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6373A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6373A-2000-10-10), registration cancelled 2000-10-10, S/N 38-78A0398 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0398
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paweltzki, Jerry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1990
- Airport: SD42, Waltner And Richards, runway 12, 2,500 × 110 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 563 total, 71 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: FSD, 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 19910731030989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910731030989A), Jul 31, 1991: Piper PA38112, Bridgewater, SD, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff swerved off strip and collided with a fence.

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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