# NTSB CHI94LA303: Piper PA-38-112, N2409G, Gardner, KS, August 27, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 1994, 19:10 local (Aug 27, 1994, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Gardner, KS - Coordinates: 38.829772, -94.88945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8298&lon=-94.8894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9659 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9659/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA303 ## Probable cause undetermined. A factor associated with the accident is a fence at the off-airport landing site. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING HIS THIRD SHORT/SOFTFIELD TAKEOFF FROM THE 3220' TURF STRIP WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 15-20' AGL. THE PILOT SAID HE DECIDED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD, BUT THAT JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE ENGINE REGAINED POWER. THE AIRPLANE FLEW FOR A SHORT DISTANCE MORE, CONTACTED THE GROUND, AND THEN STRUCK A FENCE. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL ANOMALIES. AMPLE, VISUALLY UNCONTAMINATED FUEL REMAINED ABOARD POSTACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR AND THE FAA, THE AIRPLANE HAD A PREVIOUS, UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER THAT RESULTED IN A SUCCESSFUL OFF AIRPORT LANDING WITHOUT DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE OR INJURY TO ITS OCCUPANTS. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 1994, about 1910 central daylight time, A Piper PA- 38-112 airplane, N2409G, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing during the initial climb from takeoff at Gardner Municipal Airport, Gardner, Kansas. The solo student pilot reported no injury. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. The pilot reported he was practicing a short and soft field takeoff techniques from runway 17, a 3220' turf runway. He said he had successfully completed two takeoffs and landings, and each time taxied back to the beginning of the runway. Shortly after liftoff on the third takeoff, at an estimated altitude of 15-20' agl, he said the engine lost all power. He decided to land straight ahead, but prior to touchdown, the engine regained power. The airplane continued flying just above the ground for a short distance until it struck a fence, collided with terrain and collapsed the nose gear. A postaccident inspection of the engine and airframe discovered no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The fuel tanks contained 1/2 or greater quantities of visually uncontaminated fuel. The engine was started and ran. It started easily and ran readily to full power. According to the operator and FAA inspectors, the accident airplane had lost engine power for an undetermined reason on April 13, 1994. The pilot of the airplane on the prior loss of engine power was able to make a successful landing without damage to the airplane or injury to its occupants. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2409G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2409G-1997-02-26), registration cancelled 1997-02-26, S/N 3879A0519 (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: 38-79A0519 - Airframe hours: 5396 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kansas City Aviation Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 1994, 47 hours before - Departed: IXD, OLATHE, KS - Airport: K34, Gardner Municipal, runway 17, 3,220 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 28 total, 27 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IXD, 3 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 19940826023669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940826023669A), Aug 26, 1994: Piper PA38112, Gardner, KS, Substantial damage. Lost power on liftoff. Aborted. Power came back too late. Hit fence end of runway. Prior unexplained power losses. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.