# NTSB LAX92FA247: Piper PA-38-112, N2516D, Boulder City, NV, June 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1992, 13:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: Boulder City, NV
- Coordinates: 35.989372, -114.810791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9894&lon=-114.8108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA247

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO INSURE THE PROPER FLAP SETTING FOR TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN THE PROPER CLIMB RATE NOT BEING ATTAINED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS RISING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, dual student (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-38-112 COLLIDED WITH AN UNMARKED POWER TRANSMISSION LINE STATIC CABLE DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB AFTER EXECUTING A TOUCH AND GO MANEUVER. THE AIRPLANE WAS AT A CONSTANT AIRSPEED AND LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE THE UPSLOPING TERRAIN LOCATED NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK THE STATIC CABLE WITH ITS RIGHT WING AS IT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN. THE 20:1 APPROACH CLEAR ZONE PLANE RATIO FOR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY IS OBSTRUCTED BY AN APPROXIMATE FOUR FOOT HIGH DIRT BERM. RISING TERRAIN CONTINUES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT BUT DOES NOT OBSTRUCT THE 20:1 CLEARANCE RATIO. POWER TRANSMISSION LINES CROSS RUNWAY 33'S EXTENDED CENTERLINE ON A NORTHWESTERLY HEADING ABOUT 3,800 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY END. SUPPORT TOWERS FOR THE POWER TRANSMISSION LINE CABLES ARE ABOUT 60 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, BUT DID NOT EXTEND INTO THE 20:1 CLEARANCE RATIO. THE POWER TRANSMISSION LINES ARE DEPICTED ON THE SECTIONAL AERONAUTICAL CHART. THE AIRPLANE'S FLAPS WERE FOUND TO BE FULLY EXTENDED.  THE PIPER INFORMATION MANUAL DOES NOT PRESCRIBE THE USE OF FULL FLAPS FOR ANY TAKEOFF MANEUVERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2516D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2516D-1992-10-19), registration cancelled 1992-10-19, S/N 3879A0349 (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: 38-79A0349
- Airframe hours: 4554
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Desert Southwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Tomohawk Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1992, 68 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: 61B, Boulder City, runway 33, 3,850 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 970 total, 155 in this make and model, 719 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19920615020289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920615020289A), Jun 15, 1992: Piper PA38112, Boulder City, NV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck powerline on right climbing turnout. Left turn advised. Factors density altitude. Use of full flaps.

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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