# NTSB CHI92LA248: Piper PA-38-112, N2353L, Lincoln, IL, August 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1992, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, IL
- Coordinates: 40.149024, -89.360221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1490&lon=-89.3602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA248

## Probable cause

A PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TAKEOFF GROUND RUN BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. A DELAY IN TAKING REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER IS AN ADDITIONAL CAUSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, designated examiner (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH HIGH VEGETATION AND TERRAIN AFTER A PREMATURE LIFTOFF DURING A TAKEOFF GROUND RUN.  A DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER (DPE) WAS ADMINISTERING A PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT TEST TO A PRIVATE PILOT CANDIDATE.  HE REQUESTED THE STUDENT PILOT DEMONSTRATE A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF.  ACCORDING TO THE DPE, AS THE AIRPLANE PROCEEDED DOWN THE RUNWAY IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS BEHIND THE POWER CURVE.  HE WAS ABOUT TO PULL THE POWER WHEN THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AND MADE A TURN TO THE LEFT.  THE LEFT WING HIT CORN AT THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, PULLING THE AIRPLANE INTO THE CORN. THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE PULLED THE NOSE UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND USED SIDE TO SIDE VISION TO STEER THE AIRPLANE. HE SAID THE RIDE SEEMED SLOW AND ROUGH. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE MOMENTARILY TWICE. WHEN HE SPOTTED THE CORN HE TRIED TO PULL UP. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED BUT SETTLED BACK DOWN AT THE EDGE OF THE CORN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2353L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2353L-1993-01-08), registration cancelled 1993-01-08, S/N 3879A0730 (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: 38-79A-730
- Airframe hours: 1926
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Orval Yarger, doing business as Springfield Air Corp.
- Registered owner: Orval Yarger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: CAP, SPRINGFIELD, IL
- Airport: 3LC, Logan County, runway 14, 2,700 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total, 22 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAP, 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 19920821032719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920821032719A), Aug 21, 1992: Piper PA38112, Lincoln, IL, Substantial damage. Student on private check ride was performing short field takeoff. Lifted too soon. Veered left into tall corn.

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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