# NTSB FTW87LA048: Piper PA-38-112, N2592C, Alpine, TX, January 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1987, 14:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Alpine, TX
- Coordinates: 30.360784, -103.659538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3608&lon=-103.6595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT ON SOLO FLIGHT ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF IN STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND DRAGGED LEFT WING TIP ON RUNWAY. PILOT LEVELED WINGS AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND AIRCRAFT BUT DEPARTED LEFT SIDE OF RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2592C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2592C-1988-12-05), registration cancelled 1988-12-05, S/N 3879A0249 (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: 38-79A0249
- Airframe hours: 2095
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Longenette Flying Serv. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 21, 1986, 111 hours before
- Departed: E38, ALPINE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: E38, Alpine Mun., runway 27, 2,440 × 80 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 37 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 23 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRF, 17 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 19870124033819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870124033819A), Jan 24, 1987: Piper PA38112, Alpine, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft dragged a wingtip on takeoff and struck a ditch during abort. Student failed to check crosswind factor

## Other investigations on N2592C (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW81FQG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FQG06), Nov 4, 1980: Piper PA-38 (N2592C), San Angelo, TX, substantial damage

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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