# NTSB LAX87LA204: Piper PA-38-112, N2315V, Chandler, AZ, May 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1987, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.319778, -111.870796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3198&lon=-111.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA204

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,taxiway marking - unapproved (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - separation (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, THE STUDENT PLT HAD CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING A SOFT FIELD TAKE-OFF. THE STUDENT DID NOT KEEP THE ACFT ALIGNED WITH THE CENTERLINE EVEN AFTER THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD THE STUDENT TO ADD RIGHT RUDDER TO STOP THE DRIFT. JUST PRIOR TO LIFT-OFF THE INSTRUCTOR HAD TO ADD RIGHT RUDDER, AND WHEN THE ACFT VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE ACFT ON THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS JUST AIRBORNE AT THIS TIME THEN TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT MAIN APRX 6 FT FROM THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT TRAVELED APRX 80 FT AIRBORNE WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A TAXIWAY SIGN AND SHEARED THE GEAR OFF. THE INSTRUCTOR THEN LANDED THE ACFT ON THE RWY. THE TAXI SIGN WAS APPROX 8 FEET FROM THE EDGE OF THE RWY. FAA AC 150/5340-18B STATES THAT INFORMATION SIGNS ARE TO BE LOCATED 10 FT FROM THE EDGE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2315V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2315V), registered now, S/N 38-82A0085 (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: 38-82A0085
- Airframe hours: 2877
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chandler Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 27, 1987, 27 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 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,327 total, 158 in this make and model, 1,021 as pilot in command, 277 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 14 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 19870510014569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870510014569A), May 10, 1987: Piper PA38112, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft drifted off the side of the runway during takeoff, struck a sign. Sign was improperly placed.

## Other investigations on N2315V (3)

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.

- [NTSB LAX86LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA034), Nov 6, 1985: Piper PA-38-112 (N2315V), Chandler, AZ, minor damage
- [NTSB LAX83LA451](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA451), Sep 20, 1983: Piper PA 38-112 (N2315V), San Martin, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX83LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA292), Jun 18, 1983: Piper PA-38-112 (N2315V), Morgan Hill, CA, substantial damage

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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