# NTSB LAX03CA269: Piper PA-38-112, N2318L, Joshua Tree, CA, August 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2003, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Joshua Tree, CA - Coordinates: 34.154167, -116.25222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1542&lon=-116.2522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57830/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA269 ## Probable cause the student pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - berm - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway during the takeoff roll and collided with a berm. The student was on his first solo flight. After flying with his instructor for 3 hours, he attempted solo pattern work. A full takeoff and landing sequence was completed successfully. During the second takeoff, after reaching rotation speed he "looked up," and the airplane had drifted off centerline. It continued off the runway and encountered a berm, which launched it airborne. The airplane stalled about 10 feet above ground level. The nose collided with the ground, the engine detached, and the airplane came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On August 30, 2003, at 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2318L, veered off the runway during takeoff from Hi Desert Airport (L80), Joshua Tree, California, and collided with a berm. The airplane, registered and owned by a private individual, was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that he was on his first solo flight. After flying with his certified flight instructor (CFI) for 3 hours, he attempted solo pattern work. A full takeoff and landing sequence was completed successfully. During his second takeoff, he reached rotation speed, "looked up," and became aware that he had drifted off centerline. In efforts to avoid overcorrecting, he made small adjustments and felt that he could rotate the airplane due to the high airspeed. With the airplane completely off the runway, he pulled back on the yoke. The airplane's left wheel collided with terrain and the airplane cartwheeled at full speed. It then nosed over and came to rest inverted. The student's CFI was interviewed via telephone. During the takeoff roll, the student drifted left of the runway centerline. No indication of a power reduction was observed. The airplane continued off the runway and encountered a berm, which launched it airborne. The airplane stalled about 10 feet above ground level (agl). The nose collided with the ground, the engine detached, and the airplane came to rest inverted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2318L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2318L-2004-06-04), registration cancelled 2004-06-04, S/N 38-79A0724, 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: 38-79A0724 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Park Richardson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: L80, Joshua Tree, CA - Airport: L80, Hi Desert, runway 06 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KPSP ## 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 20030830025859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030830025859A), Aug 30, 2003: Piper PA38112, Joshua Tree, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot was performing supervised solo at high Desert airport. Instructor was watching from ground. A/c appeared to veer to right during take-off… 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.