# NTSB CHI91LA276: Piper PA-38-112, N2587N, Monticello, MN, May 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1991, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, MN
- Coordinates: 45.300952, -93.799324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3010&lon=-93.7993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA276

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S (CFI) DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION.  RELATED FACTORS ARE THE GUSTY CROSSWIND, THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, AND THE CFI'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, dual student (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Nose down, takeoff - aborted
  - object - runway light
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE POST SOLO STUDENT WAS PERFORMING A SOFT FIELD TAKE OFF ON RUNWAY 18 (2,550' X 140', TURF).  WINDS WERE ESTIMATED TO BE VARIABLE BETWEEN 220 AND 260 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 22 KNOTS.  THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO ROTATE, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE RIGHT WING, AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A STOP ABOUT 75 FEET FROM THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY, NOSED DOWN IN A SOFT FIELD.  THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY CONDITION WAS ROUGH AND BUMPY, MAKING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DIFFICULT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2587N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2587N), registered now, S/N 38-79A0932, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0932
- Airframe hours: 4124
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Northland Aircraft Services
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 9, 1991, 46 hours before
- Airport: 20Y, Pilot'S Cove, runway 18, 2,550 × 140 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 424 total, 60 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910510037939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910510037939A), May 10, 1991: Piper PA38112, Monticello, MN, Substantial damage. CFI had student make soft field takeoff in gusty crosswind. Gust lifted wing. Lost control.

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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