# NTSB FTW96LA154: Piper PA-38-112, N9385T, Slidell, LA, March 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 1996, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Slidell, LA - Coordinates: 30.280212, -89.769905 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2802&lon=-89.7699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19789 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19789/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA154 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach, and his failure to execute a go-around. A factor was the gusting wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During an approach to runway 18, the aircraft was overtaking a landing aircraft. The pilot performed a series of low altitude (100 to 150 feet) S-turns to increase the distance between his aircraft and the aircraft in front of him. According to witnesses, these S-turns were at a 'very high angle of bank.' The pilot reported that when the aircraft was at tree level and at an airspeed of 80 knots, 'wind shear' was encountered. The wind 'shoved the aircraft to the left and to the ground.' According to the FAA inspector the winds at Slidell Airport were from 120 degrees at 15 gusting to 22 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 1996, at 1130 central standard time, a Piper PA-38-112, N9385T, registered to a private owner, and operated by RFB Flying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged during an attempted landing at Slidell Airport, Slidell, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Lakefront Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana, about 15 minutes before the accident. In an interview with the FAA inspector, the pilot reported that when the aircraft descended below the trees that were located about 300 feet to the left of runway 18, the aircraft was "blown into the ground." According to the FAA inspector the winds at Slidell Airport were from 120 degrees at 15 gusting to 22 knots. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Report that when the aircraft was at tree level and at an airspeed of 80 knots, "wind shear" was encountered. The wind "shoved the aircraft to the left and to the ground." According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft was overtaking a landing aircraft. The pilot performed a series of low altitude (100 to 150 feet) "S" turns to increase the distance between his aircraft and the aircraft in front of him. According to witnesses, these "S" turns were at a "very high angle of bank." Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the left wing was partially separated, and the left main landing gear and nose landing gear were folded under the fuselage. The right main landing gear was also damaged, and the aft fuselage was wrinkled. Control continuity was established to all flight controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9385T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9385T-2004-09-23), registration cancelled 2004-09-23, S/N 38-78A0085, built 1978 (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: 38-78A0085 - Airframe hours: 2706 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rfb Flying Service - Registered owner: Rocco F. Bonura - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 1996, 20 hours before - Departed: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA - Destination: 6R0 - Airport: 6R0, Slidell, runway 18, 4,058 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,060 total, 100 in this make and model, 859 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: NEW, 21 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 19960324004999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960324004999A), Mar 24, 1996: Piper PA38112, Slidell, LA, Substantial damage. During landing, encountered strong crosswind, lost control of aircraft due to strong winds over trees. (-23) during approach to runway 18, the pilot lost… 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.