# NTSB DEN90LA122: Piper PA-38-112, N9375T, Belgrade, MT, June 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1990, 08:32 local (14:32 UTC)
- Place: Belgrade, MT
- Coordinates: 45.809432, -111.149559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8094&lon=-111.1496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA122

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL EXPERIENCED DURING THE ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - fuel tank selector position - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD APRX 10 GAL IN THE LEFT TANK AND 8 GAL IN THE RIGHT TANK PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE PLT AND PAX TOOK OFF, DID 3 TOUCH-AND-GOES, THEN WENT SIGHTSEEING. THEY RETURNED TO THE ARPT AND DID ANOTHER TOUCH-AND-GO. ON CLIMBOUT, THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT MANAGED TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT IT QUIT AGAIN. THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO MAKE A STEEP RIGHT BANK AND CRASH. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS NOT COMPROMISED. APRX 10 GAL OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE LEFT TANK. NO FUEL WAS IN THE RIGHT TANK AND THE GASCOLATOR WAS DRY. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE RIGHT TANK. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN FOR 2.1 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. FUEL CONSUMPTION VARIES FROM 4.3 TO 6.5 GPH, DEPENDING ON PWR SETTING AND ALT FLOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9375T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9375T-1990-12-12), registration cancelled 1990-12-12, S/N 3878A0078 (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: 38-78A0078
- Airframe hours: 3792
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sunbird Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sunbird Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1990, 25 hours before
- Departed: BZN
- Destination: BZN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 128 total, 6 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BZN

## 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 19900603018089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900603018089A), Jun 3, 1990: Piper PA38112, Bozeman, MT, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Turned back to runway,stalled and impacted left wing low. Fuel selector on an empty tank.

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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