# NTSB FTW89FA028: Piper PA-38-112, N2379V, Tomball, TX, December 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1988, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Coordinates: 30.089931, -95.610282 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0899&lon=-95.6103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - propeller system/accessories - overtorque (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, unknown (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories - vibration (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING USED FOR TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS BY AN INSTRUCTOR AND A LOW TIME STUDENT. IT WAS ON A BASE LEG TO LAND TO THE SOUTH WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD THE TOWER SHE HAD LOST THE ENGINE AND WAS GOING DOWN. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. THE STUDENT SURVIVED BUT DID NOT REMEMBER THE FLIGHT. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR FUEL SYSTEM WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM PRODUCING ENOUGH POWER TO PREVENT A FORCED LANDING. THE PROPELLER CAME OFF THE CRANKSHAFT AT IMPACT. MARKS ON THE SIX PROPELLER FLANGE BUSHING INDICATED THE PROPELLER HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR AN UNDETERMINED LENGTH OF TIME. THE FLANGE BUSHING HAD BEEN OVERSTRESSED AND THE FLANGED ENDS SEPARATED FROM THE BUSHINGS. THE BUSHINGS CAME OUT OF THE CRANKSHAFT AT IMPACT. THE FIELD WHERE THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST WAS SURROUNDED BY TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2379V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2379V-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 38-82A0060, built 1982 (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: 38-82A0060
- Airframe hours: 2515
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Travel Air
- Registered owner: Travland Aero Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 30, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: DWH
- Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hawks Mem., runway 17R, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 855 total, 788 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 81 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DWH, 1 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 19881203052369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881203052369A), Dec 3, 1988: Piper PA38112, Houston, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Reported power loss on base leg. Wreckage indicates stall into small field. Fuel selector on empty tank. Engine ok

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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