# NTSB LAX85LA177: Piper PA-38-112, N2369P, Byron, CA, March 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1985, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Byron, CA
- Coordinates: 37.849948, -121.620498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8499&lon=-121.6205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, dual student (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CFI & STUDENT PLT WERE PRACTICING TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS. DURING THE STUDENTS SECOND APCH, THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH & FAST. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN MIDFIELD, LEFT OF THE RWY, & IN THE GRASS. THE CFI APPLIED PWR TO TAKEOFF, HOWEVER, THE ACFT STALLED AND THE LEFT WING TIP HIT THE GROUND & A FENCE POST. THE STUDENT PLT HAD A TOTAL OF 40 HRS DUAL & HAD NOT SOLOED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2369P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A-0967
- Airframe hours: 2469
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Navajo Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1985, 69 hours before
- Departed: 4Q5
- Airport: 4Q5, Byron Airpark, runway 22, 2,220 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 625 total, 200 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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