# NTSB FTW95LA215: Piper PA-38-112, N23557, Corpus Christi, TX, May 20, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1995, 16:46 local (21:46 UTC)
- Place: Corpus Christi, TX
- Coordinates: 27.770002, -97.520698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7700&lon=-97.5207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA215

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vasi light/system

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ON RUNWAY 13 THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE LEFT WING IMPACTED A VASI LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT THE RUDDER WAS BLOCKED AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE OPERATOR DID NOT REVEAL ANY BLOCKAGE OR ANOMALIES. WIND WAS FROM 090 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On May 20, 1995, at 1646 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38- 112, N23557, was substantially damaged during landing near Corpus Christi, Texas.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo cross country training flight.

According to the operator, the student pilot departed the Brownsville International Airport on a solo cross country flight. While landing on Runway 13 at the Corpus Christi International Airport, the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway.  The left wing impacted a VASI light assembly, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the nose landing gear was bent, damaging the engine firewall.  Wind was from 090 degrees at 13 knots.

The student pilot stated that the rudder was blocked during the landing roll and he was unable to maintain directional control.  Examination of the airplane by the operator did not reveal any binding, blockage or anomalies with the rudder or nose wheel steering of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23557](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23557-2002-12-11), registration cancelled 2002-12-11, S/N 38-81A0149, built 1981 (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: 38-81A0149
- Airframe hours: 2706
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southwind Flight Tng. Systems
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 9, 1995, 5 hours before
- Departed: BRO, BRONWSVILLE, TX
- Destination: CRP
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CRP, Corpus Christi, runway 13, 7,508 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 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 19950520012309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950520012309A), May 20, 1995: Piper PA38112, Corpus Christi, TX, Substantial damage. Drifted off left side of runway landing. Wing struck a VASI light. Student blamed blocked rudder. Not found.

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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