# NTSB FTW97LA089: Piper PA-38-112, N2422N, Brownsville, TX, January 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 26, 1997, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Brownsville, TX - Coordinates: 25.920234, -97.479652 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9202&lon=-97.4797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20150 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20150/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed go-around and subsequent inadvertent stall. A factor was the gusty winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The student pilot, aware of the displaced (2,600 feet) threshold, was cleared for landing on runway 17. During the final approach with full flaps (37 degrees), the airplane started 'dropping' from approximately 100 feet AGL and the pilot added 1/2 throttle; however, the added power 'did not stop the drop.' Upon making a go-around decision, the pilot added full power and retracted the flaps to 21 degrees. Subsequently, the left wing of the airplane hit the dirt and the airplane spun around 150 degrees before coming to rest in the grass at the side of the runway. The operator reported that the student had received instruction on all the solo requirements including emergency procedures and go-around procedures. The student stated that he had not done a go-around with an instructor; however, during a previous solo flight, he had made a go-around from 400 feet AGL during an approach for runway 31 and this was his first attempted go-around from a low altitude. The Pilot/Operator Report, stated that 'while attempting a go-around the aircraft stalled [with] the left wing impacting the ground.' Winds varied from 160 degrees to 170 degrees at 13 knots with gust to 22 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 26, 1997, at 1210 central standard time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2422N, operated by Southwind Aviation as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, impacted terrain following a loss of control during a go-around from runway 17 at Brownsville International Airport, Brownsville, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight and a flight plan was not filed. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Brownsville, Texas, at 1030. During interviews, conducted by the investigator-in charge, the student pilot, the operator, and the ATC controller reported the following information. The student pilot had completed all the requirements for solo including emergency procedures and go-around procedures and this was the students third solo training flight. The pilot completed the preflight inspection, started the airplane, and taxied the airplane for departure on runway 13R. The pilot was informed of the displaced thresholds on runway 13R and runway 17 when he monitored the ATIS over the aircraft radio. The pilot flew the airplane to a local area where he practiced airwork, including stalls. Upon returning to the airport, the student pilot was cleared for landing on runway 17 (displaced threshold of 2,600 feet). During the final approach with full flaps (37 degrees), the airplane started "dropping" from approximately 100 feet AGL and the pilot added 1/2 throttle; however, the added power "did not stop the drop." Upon making a go-around decision, the pilot added full power and retracted the flaps to 21 degrees. Subsequently, the left wing of the airplane hit the dirt and the airplane spun around 150 degrees before coming to rest in the grass at the side of the runway. Structural damage occurred to the wings, right landing gear, nose gear, and the engine mounts. The student stated that he had not done a go-around with an instructor; however, during a previous solo flight, he made a go-around from 400 feet AGL during an approach for runway 31. This was the student's first go-around from a low altitude. The ATC ground Controller reported observing the airplane "losing altitude while on short final to runway 17 at about midfield, where the threshold was relocated." The airplane banked to the right and to the left with the left wing impacting the ground first, followed by the nose and then the right wing. On the Pilot/Operator Report, the student pilot stated that "while attempting a go-around the aircraft stalled [with] the left wing impacting the ground." He further reported that the purpose of the "go-around was due to a high rate of sink on final." Winds at 1156 were from 170 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 22 knots. At 1215 the winds were from 160 degrees at 13 knots with gust to 22 knots. The pilot reported the winds from 150 at 10 knots with gust to 20 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2422N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2422N-2015-05-14), registration cancelled 2015-05-14, S/N 38-79A0834, built 1979 (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: 38-79A0834 - Airframe hours: 2278 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Southwind Aviation - Registered owner: Avlease, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 1997, 8 hours before - Departed: BRO - Airport: BRO, Brownsville International, runway 17, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 41 total, 24 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F ## 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 19970126002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970126002329A), Jan 26, 1997: Piper PA38112, Brownsville, TX, Substantial damage. Unable stop high sink on final. Lost control trying to around. Dragged a wing and cartwheeled. (-23) on landing student pilot attempted a full-flap go-around.… 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.