# NTSB LAX87LA313: Piper PA-38-112, N2483L, Buckeye, AZ, August 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1987, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.259014, -112.780105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2590&lon=-112.7801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25671/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA313

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-38-112 LANDED HARD ON THE RUNWAY WHILE ON A VFR TRAINING FLIGHT. THE CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) INDICATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT MADE AN ABRUPT AFT YOKE (UP ELEVATOR) APPLICATION DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE AIRCRAFT BALLOONED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS AND ATTEMPTED TO DEMONSTRATE 'THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS STILL SENSITIVE TO CONTROL INPUTS.' THE CFI THEN REALIZED HE WAS TOO HIGH AND FELT THE AIRCRAFT START TO SINK. HE ADDED FULL POWER TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND AND LANDED HARD RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2483L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2483L-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 38-79A0718, built 1979 (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: 3879A0718
- Airframe hours: 3125
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fuller Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 1987, 79 hours before
- Departed: GYR, GOODYEAR, AZ
- Destination: BXK, BUCKEYE, AZ
- Airport: BXK, Buckeye Muni, runway 35, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 742 total, 170 in this make and model, 2,968 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °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 19870822049829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870822049829A), Aug 22, 1987: Piper PA38112, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. Student caused a pitch up on the landing flare. CFI delayed in recovery. Result hard landing and severe 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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