# NTSB LAX89LA121: Piper PA-38-112, N25620, Chandler, AZ, March 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1989, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.240543, -111.779701 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2405&lon=-111.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA121

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO PROPERLY EVALUATE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS RESULTING IN AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN UNANTICIPATED DOWNDRAFT CONDITION AND FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach
  - emergency procedure - simulated
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO A DIRT STRIP AND PRACTICING A SIMULATED ENGINE OUT EMERGENCY PROCEDURE THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A HIGH SINK RATE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT THE AIRPLANE FROM COLLIDING WITH TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND FIRST AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE ACFT SLID SIDEWAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25620](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25620-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 38-81A0016, built 1981 (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: 38-81A0016
- Airframe hours: 3130
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler Air Service
- Registered owner: Chandler Air Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 28, 1989, 5 hours before
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: U Of A Ag Strip, runway 17, 5,100 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,341 total, 542 in this make and model, 1,152 as pilot in command, 291 in the last 90 days, 113 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 10 °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 19890305003259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890305003259A), Mar 5, 1989: Piper PA38112, Maricopa, AZ, Substantial damage. Entered high sink rate on final for practice forced landing and collided with a tree. CFI took over too late.

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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