# NTSB DEN85LTG02: Piper PA-38-112, N23152, Berthold, ND, October 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1984, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Berthold, ND
- Coordinates: 48.310371, -101.729209 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3104&lon=-101.7292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LTG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16778/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LTG02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - rain
  - light condition - dusk
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE STUDENT SOLO PLT WAS ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLT AND WAS APPROPRIATELY ENDORSED. IMPACT OCCURRED AT APRX 80 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. WX IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO BE 300 FT CEILINGS WITH VISIBILITY OF 1/4 MI IN FOG AND RAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23152 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0121
- Airframe hours: 1086
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pietsch Flying Service
- Registered owner: Richard Gaudette
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 18, 1984, 65 hours before
- Departed: 1SN, WILLISTON, ND
- Destination: MOT, MINOT, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 33 total, 4 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 6° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841024058569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841024058569A), Oct 24, 1984: Piper PA38112, Berthold, ND, Destroyed. Student pilot continued flight into IFR conditions, lost control of the aircraft and flew into the ground.

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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