# NTSB FTW90LA140: Piper PA-38-112, N9215T, Houston, TX, July 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1990, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.870428, -95.529655 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8704&lon=-95.5297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA140

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT, ON THE SECOND LANDING OF HIS SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO, ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO FALL THROUGH IN THE FLARE AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT OFF OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH AND A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9215T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9215T-1993-01-14), registration cancelled 1993-01-14, S/N 3878A0278 (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: 38-78A027B
- Airframe hours: 1865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ray'S Flight Service
- Registered owner: Shannon, Noel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 1990, 26 hours before
- Departed: T17
- Airport: T17, Weiser, runway 27, 3,400 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 35 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 19900714025909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900714025909A), Jul 14, 1990: Piper PA38112, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Student on second solo allowed aircraft to fall thru on the flare. Hit runway and veered off into a ditch.

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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