# NTSB FTW88FA132: Piper PA-38-112, N2459K, Electra, TX, July 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1988, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Electra, TX
- Coordinates: 34.030307, -98.909416 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0303&lon=-98.9094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22558
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22558/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA132

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT'S LOGBOOK INDICATED HE HAD A CHECKOUT ON STEEP TURNS AND SPINS TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE ALSO LOGGED FOUR LANDINGS DURING THE SAME ONE-HALF HOUR FLIGHT. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE COMPLETE A THREE TURN SPIN AND SAW IT START TO RECOVER BEFORE HE LOST SIGHT OF IT BEHIND A HILL. HE DID NOT SEE ANY DUST OR FIRE AND ASSUMED IT HAD RECOVERED UNTIL SEVERAL DAYS LATER WHEN HE HEARD AN AIRPLANE WAS MISSING. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN IN A NOSE LOW, RIGHT WING SLIGHTLY DOWN FROM AN APPROXIMATE 45 DEGREE ANGLE DOWN FLIGHT PATH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2459K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2459K-1990-02-08), registration cancelled 1990-02-08, S/N 3879A0642 (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: 38-79A0642
- Airframe hours: 3285
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cook'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Cook, Floyd W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 1988, 33 hours before
- Departed: F14, WICHITA FALLS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 28 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPS, 23 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 19880710029649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880710029649A), Jul 10, 1988: Piper PA38112, Electra, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed to descend in a spin and to begin recovery too late. Was over gross at takeoff. No parachutes as required.

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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