# NTSB LAX84LA218: Piper PA-38-112, N23882, Sonoma, CA, March 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1984, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.24065, -122.459533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2407&lon=-122.4595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24202/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA218

## 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
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY SOLOED ON 12/4/83 & HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 30 HRS OF TOTAL TIME OF WHICH 3.7 HRS WERE SOLO. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLT, THE STUDENT'S INSTRUCTOR HAD FLOWN WITH HIM & HE HAD COMPLETED 4 LANDINGS ON THAT FLT. THE STUDENT THEN WENT ON A SOLO FLT TO MAKE 3 MORE LANDINGS. AFTER THE LAST LANDING (A TOUCH-&-GO), HE RETRACTED THE FLAPS & ADDED POWER TO TAKEOFF AGAIN. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE ACFT VEERED LEFT, WENT OFF THE RWY & SUBSEQUENTLY HIT A DITCH & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23882](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23882-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 38-79A1060, 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: 38-79A1060
- Airframe hours: 2090
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: John Tate
- Registered owner: James P. Mcveigh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 11, 1983, 50 hours before
- Airport: 0Z9, Sonoma Skypark, runway 26, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19840311005609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840311005609A), Mar 11, 1984: Piper PA38112, Sonoma, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost directional control during touch and go landing. Aircraft veered off runway into a ditch.

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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