# NTSB MKC82DA028: Piper PA-38, N2501N, Washington, IA, February 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1982, 15:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Washington, IA
- Location: 41.2979° N, 91.6937° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Washington, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 44.359153, -97.839637 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2979&lon=-91.6937&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT BEGAN TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY 17 WITH A RIGHT QUARTERING HEADWIND. THERE WAS SNOW AND ICE ON THE RUNWAY. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TOWARD THE LEFT AND THE PILOT ADDED RIGHT RUDDER FOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. IT CONTACTED A SNOWBANK WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2501N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1670
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Washington Flying Service, Inc
- Registered owner: Washington Flying Service, Inc
- Departed: C61, WASHINGTON, IA
- Destination: C61, WASHINGTON, IA
- Airport: C61, Washington Municipal, runway 17, 2,700 × 50 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OTM, 45 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 19820207003069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820207003069A), Feb 7, 1982: Piper PA38112, Washington, IA, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost directional control during takeoff on snow-covered 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.

---
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.
