# NTSB LAX87LA201: Piper PA-38-112, N25111, Chandler, AZ, May 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1987, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.240737, -111.780502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2407&lon=-111.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA201

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - uncontrolled, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AND INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT ON SHORT AND SOFT FIELD LANDINGS, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL AN UNOBSERVED DUST DEVIL HIT THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RAISED APPROXIMATELY 60 FT AGL. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25111](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25111-1989-10-16), registration cancelled 1989-10-16, S/N 3880A0032 (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: 38-80A0032
- Airframe hours: 2388
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L26 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chandler Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 3, 1987, 46 hours before
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: P10, Chandler, runway 22, 4,395 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 627 total, 216 in this make and model, 506 as pilot in command, 303 in the last 90 days, 119 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHD, 8 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 19870502012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870502012109A), May 2, 1987: Piper PA38112, Chandler, AZ, Destroyed. The pilot lost control of the aircraft during landing roll. A dust devil caused the aircraft to lift up and stall.

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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