# NTSB LAX90LA302: Piper PA38, N25658, Chandler, AZ, August 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1990, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.240238, -111.779701 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2402&lon=-111.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26906/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA302

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. HIS INEXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT AND IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

AFTER PRACTICING LANDINGS FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR THE STUDENT PILOT INITIATED ANOTHER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE ROSE UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE STUDENT PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE UNCOMMANDED CLIMB. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AND COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25658](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25658-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 3881A0041 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3881A10041
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2L 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler Air Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: P10
- Destination: P10
- Airport: P10, Chandler Muni, runway 22, 4,395 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900824036309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900824036309A), Aug 24, 1990: Piper PA38112, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost control on liftoff in practice soft field takeoff mode. Dropped a wing,impacted nose first off runway.

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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