# NTSB LAX85LA148: Piper PA-38-112, N2403A, Sahuarita, AZ, January 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1985, 17:00 local (Jan 23, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Sahuarita, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.9102, -110.900985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9102&lon=-110.9010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA148

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT DURING LANDING ROLL ON AN ABANDONED AIRSTRIP. RIGHT WING CONTACTED A TREE APRX 1 FT INBOARD ON RIGHT WING TIP DEFORMING THE MAIN SPAR. TREES LINED BOTH SIDES OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2403A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2403A-2018-01-16), registration cancelled 2018-01-16, S/N 38-78A0671, 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: 38-78A0671
- Airframe hours: 3999
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hudgin Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 1, 1984, 95 hours before
- Departed: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: Sahurita Abandoned, runway 12, 4,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,039 total, 150 in this make and model, 7,818 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850122006039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850122006039A), Jan 22, 1985: Piper PA38112, Sahuarita, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed on abandoned airstrip lined with trees. Right wing struck a tree on rollout.

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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