# NTSB FTW90FA106: Piper PA-38-112, N2468G, Jacksonville, TX, May 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1990, 19:45 local (May 5, 1990, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, TX
- Coordinates: 31.790163, -95.140319 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7902&lon=-95.1403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA106

## Probable cause

A FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET ABOVE THE TREES, A FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED TOTAL POWER LOSS WAS EXPERIENCED WITH THE STUDENT PILOT AT THE CONTROLS. THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) TOOK CONTROL AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN 180 DEGREES TO RETURN TO THE DOWNWIND DEPARTURE RUNWAY FOR A FORCED LANDING (THE REPORTED WINDS WERE 310 DEGREES AT 11 KNOTS). THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TREES AND MADE AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO UPSLOPING GROUND. RECORDS INDICATE THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED, AND HAD FLOWN 3.5 HOURS SINCE THE PREVIOUS FUELING. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE FROM THE RUPTURED RIGHT TANK; EIGHT OUNCES OF FUEL WAS RECOVERED FROM THE INTACT LEFT TANK WHICH WAS SELECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2468G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2468G-1992-02-24), registration cancelled 1992-02-24, S/N 3879A0538 (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: 38-79A0538
- Airframe hours: 1422
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Center Aviation
- Registered owner: Mary K. Cowan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1990, 4 hours before
- Departed: JSO
- Destination: JSO
- Airport: JSO, Jacksonville Cherokee Cty

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,400 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFK, 46 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 19900504014129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900504014129A), May 4, 1990: Piper PA38112, Jacksonville, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Allowed student check fuel. Ran out on climbout. Tried return. Stalled into trees. 3.4MG lidocaine 1.3MG quinidine.

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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