# NTSB LAX85LA219: Piper PA 38-112, N2403N, Prescott, AZ, April 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.619171, -112.419776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6192&lon=-112.4198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA219

## 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
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - judgment - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED RWY 21. THE REPORTED SURFACE WINDS WERE 190 DEGS AT 12 KTS GUSTING TO 29 KTS. THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AT 200 FPM UNTIL REACHING 800 FT AGL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE CONSIDERED THE CLIMB RATE AS BEING TOO SLOW AND ELECTED TO NEGOTIATE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A SAGE BRUSH COVERED FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT WING STRUCK A SECTION OF OLD FENCE POST WHICH WAS COVERED BY THE SAGE BRUSH. THE AIRPORT IS SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND IS SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE DOWNDRAFTS. THE CALCULATED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 6200 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2403N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2403N-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 38-79A0828 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0828
- Airframe hours: 2420
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James B. Williams
- Registered owner: John R. Lynch, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1985
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,360 total, 490 in this make and model, 2,360 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 4 nm away

## 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 19850420015299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420015299A), Apr 20, 1985: Piper PA38112, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed in sage brush after aircraft would not climb. Strong wind, downdrafts, density altitude a factor.

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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