# NTSB MIA04CA091: Piper PA-38-112, N2484A, Carthage, MS, May 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 29, 2004, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Carthage, MS - Coordinates: 32.761112, -89.529998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7611&lon=-89.5300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59368 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59368/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA091 ## Probable cause The failure of the student pilot to maintain control of the airplane resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impacting with terrain. A factor related to this accident was the student pilot's lack of total flight experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - gusts - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ravine ## Analysis The student pilot stated he over flew the airport prior to landing and noted the wind was directly down runway 17. His approach to runway 17 was good with touchdown occurring on the centerline at 60 knots. Just as he touched down, a gust of wind from 260 degrees blew him into a ravine adjacent to the left side of the runway. A downdraft in the ravine forced the airplane into the ground incurring substantial damage. The student pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. A METAR weather observation taken 24 minutes after the accident from the Jackson International Airport (JAN) indicates that the wind was variable at 5 knots gusting to 15 knots. The JAN airport is located approximately 39 nautical miles and 223 degrees from the accident airport. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2004, approximately 1430 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2484A, registered to and operated by a private individual, departed the runway on landing and impacted terrain at Carthage-Leake County Airport, Carthage, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the student pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from Raymond, Mississippi, at 1300 that same day. The student pilot stated he overflew the airport prior to landing and noted the wind was directly down runway 17. His approach to runway 17 was good with touchdown occurring on the centerline at 60 knots. Just as he touched down, a gust of wind from 260 degrees blew him into a ravine adjacent to the left side of the runway. A downdraft in the ravine forced the airplane into the ground incurring substantial damage. The student pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. A METAR weather observation taken 24 minutes after the accident from the Jackson International Airport (JAN) indicates that the wind was variable at 5 knots gusting to 15 knots. The JAN airport is located approximately 39 nautical miles and 223 degrees from the accident airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2484A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2484A-2017-02-28), registration cancelled 2017-02-28, S/N 38-78A0708, built 1978 (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: 38-78A0708 - Airframe hours: 1050 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: James R. Richardson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2003, 47 hours before - Departed: M16, Raymond, MS - Destination: 08M, Carthage, MS - Airport: 08M, Carthage-Leake County, runway 17, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 62; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 52 total, 30 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: JAN ## 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 20040529008809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040529008809A), May 29, 2004: Piper PA38112, Carthage, MS, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot did not have a log book endorsement from his CFI to solo to the Carthage airport. Surface winds in the surrounding area at the time were… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.