# NTSB FTW83LA048: Piper PA-38-112, N2521N, El Paso, TX, November 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1982, 01:31 local (08:31 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Location: 31.7587° N, 106.4869° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Paso, TX, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7587&lon=-106.4869&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - sand bar

## Analysis

ON LANDING THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A GO-AROUND DUE TO GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. ON THE NEXT LANDING ATTEMPT THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND FROM SHORT FINAL AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY, STALLED THE AIRCRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH SAND DUNES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT'S FLAPS WERE IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2521N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3879A0888
- Airframe hours: 718
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sw Air Rangers Corporation
- Registered owner: Sw Air Rangers Corporation
- Departed: AI
- Airport: TX04, West Texas Airport, runway 26, 4,300 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 64 total, 51 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19821130060709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821130060709A), Nov 30, 1982: Piper PA38112, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed off side of runway when pilot lost control on aircraft landing in gusty wind conditions.

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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