# NTSB DEN86LA202: Piper PA-38-112, N2355A, Minot, ND, July 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1986, 20:30 local (Jul 19, 1986, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Minot, ND
- Coordinates: 48.420463, -101.320243 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4205&lon=-101.3202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA202

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE FLT PROCEEDED NORMALLY UNTIL HE ARRIVED AT AN AIRSTRIP SW OF MINOT FOR A LANDING. SEVERAL LOW APPROACHES WERE MADE BEFORE HE ELECTED TO LAND. HE SAID THAT AFTER THE TOUCHDOWN AND DURING HIS LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT SWERVED AND WENT INTO A WHEAT FIELD BESIDE THE STRIP. THE LEFT WING THEN COLLIDED WITH WET SOFT TERRAIN & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE GRASS ON THE AIRSTRIP WAS DRY, BUT THE SURFACE WAS SOFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2355A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2355A), registered now, S/N 38-78A0650, built 1978 (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: 3878A 0650
- Airframe hours: 1599
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Scott Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bula Scott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 14, 1986, 4 hours before
- Departed: MOT, MINOT, ND
- Airport: ND43, Flying S Ranch, runway 36, 4,000 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 991 total, 4 in this make and model, 114 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19860718034469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860718034469A), Jul 18, 1986: Piper PA38112, Minot, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered off runway into a wheat field. Grass runway was wet and soft from previous rains.

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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