# NTSB FTW87FA090: Piper PA-38-112, N4450E, Uvalde, TX, April 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1987, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Uvalde, TX
- Coordinates: 29.209205, -99.779922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2092&lon=-99.7799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA090

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON 04-02-87, A PIPER PA-38-112, N5540E, OWNED AND OPERATED BY SOUTHWEST TEXAS JUNIOR COLLEGE, IMPACTED THE TERRAIN NEAR UVALDE, TX. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR INITIATED A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE AND DID NOT ATTEMPT RECOVERY UNTIL REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 150 FT AGL. WRITTEN DIRECTIVES CALL FOR RECOVERY PRIOR TO REACHING 200 FT AGL. THE SELECTED FORCED LANDING AREA WAS UNSUITABLE IN THAT IT WAS ROUGH TERRAIN SURROUNDED ON TWO SIDES BY TRANSMISSION POWER LINES. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE ENGINE RESPONDED NORMALLY DURING THE RECOVERY ATTEMPT. HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A HIGH SINK RATE AND RECOVERY COULD NOT BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS UNINJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4450E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4450E-2003-10-11), registration cancelled 2003-10-11, S/N 38-78A0610, 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: 38-78A0610
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southwest Texas Junior College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 4, 1987, 62 hours before
- Departed: UVA, UVALDE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,028 total, 450 in this make and model, 6,842 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: DRJ, 72 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 19870402008259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870402008259A), Apr 2, 1987: Piper PA38112, Uvalde, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit the ground during emergency landing practice. The CFI started go around too late. Wind shear.

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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