# NTSB ERA12LA112: Piper PA-38-112, N9279T, Merry Hill, NC, December 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 2011, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Merry Hill, NC - Coordinates: 36.022777, -76.804168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0228&lon=-76.8042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82535/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82535 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA112 ## Probable cause Operation of the airplane by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while making a forced landing following a total loss of engine power at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Also contributing was the pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was maneuvering at a treetop level toward an open field when the engine stopped producing power. The airplane then descended at a steep angle over the approach end of the field and collided with terrain, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomaly. The left fuel tank was selected on the fuel selector, and no fuel was found in the left tank. There was no odor of fuel, and no fuel staining present around the tank. The right fuel tank was also empty, but there was some fuel blighting of the vegetation beneath the right fuel cap. The pilot/owner did not hold a pilot certificate. ## Factual narrative On December 16, 2011, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-38-112, N9279T, crashed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Merry Hill, North Carolina. The airplane received substantial damage and the non-certificated pilot/owner was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which originated from Plymouth Municipal Airport (PMZ), Plymouth, North Carolina, at an unknown time. The flight was destined for the pilot/owner's private strip and was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to witness statements provided to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the airplane was maneuvering at a tree-top height towards an open field, when the engine stopped producing power. The airplane then descended at a steep angle over the approach end of the field before it collided with terrain, nosed over and came to rest inverted. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspectors examined the airplane at the accident site on the day after the accident. Control continuity was established from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces, and there was no evidence of a preimpact mechanical anomaly with the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine. The left fuel tank was selected on the fuel selector, and no fuel was found in the left tank. There was no odor of fuel, and no fuel staining present around the tank. The right fuel tank was also empty, but there was some fuel blighting of the vegetation located beneath the right fuel cap. The pilot/owner did not hold a pilot certificate. His most recent application for an FAA medical certificate was dated January 22, 1997. At that time the pilot was issued a student pilot certificate, which according to FAA records expired on January 31, 1999. The pilot could not be interviewed for several months due to his injuries, and attempts to contact him after he returned home from the hospital were unsuccessful. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1978, and registered to the pilot on January 21, 1997. It was a two-seat, low-wing, fixed gear airplane that was equipped with a Lycoming O-235, 115-horsepower engine. The airplane's maintenance records were not recovered. The airplane's tachometer showed 3,847 aircraft hours at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9279T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9279T-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 38-78A0315, 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: 38-78A0315 - Airframe hours: 3847 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Taylor Michael B - Registered owner: Taylor Michael B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PMZ, Plymouth, NC - Destination: Merry Hill, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; seat: left; flight hours: 0 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: EDE, 16 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 20111216028879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111216028879A), Dec 16, 2011: Piper PA-38-112, Merry Hill, NC, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted] Departed plymouth airport (pmz), plymouth, north carolina on the morning of December 16, 2011. Some time later, his aircraft crashed… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82535. 4.5 MB in all. - Memorandum for Record - 6120 (item 1, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%206120-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Airport Manager (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Airport%20Manager-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 4, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Overview of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of Tachometer (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20Tachometer%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.