# NTSB FTW89LA138: Piper PA-38-112, N23414, Granite, OK, July 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1989, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Granite, OK
- Coordinates: 34.960418, -99.369628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9604&lon=-99.3696&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 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA138

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear - vibration (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED HE EXPERIENCED A MODERATE NOSE WHEEL SHIMMY ON TAKEOFF ROLL AND LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY. AT THAT POINT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE, 30 FEET OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A STOP 100 FEET OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23414 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0095
- Airframe hours: 2507
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Micheal T. Worrell
- Registered owner: Wim H. Wetzel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 31, 1989, 41 hours before
- Departed: AXS
- Airport: F19, Joe Harp Filed, runway 17, 2,600 × 55 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °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 19890713022409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890713022409A), Jul 13, 1989: Piper PA38112, Granite, OK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff after a premature liftoff. Ran off runway and went through a fence.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.