# NTSB FTW92LA213: Piper PA-38-112, N2357N, Clarendon, AR, August 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1992, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Clarendon, AR
- Coordinates: 34.689056, -91.299453 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6891&lon=-91.2995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18558
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18558/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA213

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CONSULT THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE DATA AND ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE FIELD LENGTH WAS AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - crop
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD LAST USED THE AIR STRIP SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN SHORTENED BY 900 FEET. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT REALIZE THE LENGTH UNTIL DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN WHEN HE SAW THAT HE WOULD NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RUNWAY TO TAKEOFF AND CLEAR THE OBSTRUCTIONS.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK COTTON PLANTS AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2357N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2357N-1993-06-03), registration cancelled 1993-06-03, S/N 3879A0805 (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: 38-79A0805
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vondrau, Kevin
- Registered owner: Vondrau, Kevin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 5 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 30 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 19920818031989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920818031989A), Aug 18, 1992: Piper PA38112, Clarendon, AR, Substantial damage. Trying to depart short strip landing gear caught on cotton plants. Settled into cotton. Unaware strip was short.

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.