# NTSB LAX88FA190: Piper PA-38-112, N2326A, Green Valley, AZ, May 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1988, 10:22 local (17:22 UTC)
- Place: Green Valley, AZ
- Location: 31.8408° N, 111.0045° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Green Valley, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8408&lon=-111.0045&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA190

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO ACCOMPLISH THE PROPER STALL RECOVERY PROCEDURES ALLOWING THE STALL TO DEVELOP INTO A SPIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TRAINING IN SPIN RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2326A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2326A-1991-02-28), registration cancelled 1991-02-28, S/N 3878A0641 (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: 78A 0641
- Airframe hours: 5951
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hudkins Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 22, 1988, 47 hours before
- Departed: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: TUS, Tucson Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 39 total, 39 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 23 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 19880519015109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880519015109A), May 19, 1988: Piper PA38112, Green Valley, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Appears student stalled either intentionally or in error, went to flat spin and crash. No spin training. Not required

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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