# NTSB FTW83LA138: Piper PA-38-112, N2381K, Shiro, TX, March 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1983, 15:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Shiro, TX
- Coordinates: 30.600393, -95.869323 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6004&lon=-95.8693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY, THE STUDENT PLT BECAME DISORIENTED ON THE 3RD LEG OF THE FLT. HE REORIENTED HIMSELF, BUT THE ENG LOST POWER BEFORE HE REACHED HIS INTENDED DESTINATION. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN & WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT ROLLED ACROSS A 3 FT DEEP DITCH. APRX 5 TO 6 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK & ONLY ABOUT 1 GAL WAS REMAINING IN THE RIGHT TANK. UNUSABLE FUEL WAS 1 GAL PER TANK. THE STUDENT SAID THAT WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER, HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT TANK, THEN SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK & BACK TO THE LEFT TANK AGAIN WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO RESTART THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2381K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2381K), registered now, S/N 38-79A0605, built 1979 (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: 38-79A0605
- Airframe hours: 1323
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Best Aviation/Samir Patel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: T72, HEARNE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 35 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19830302006169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830302006169A), Mar 2, 1983: Piper PA38112, Shiro, TX, Substantial damage. Student became lost and ran out of fuel on a solo cross country. Aircraft crash landed in an open field.

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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