# NTSB MKC84FA049: Piper PA-38-112, N4457E, Floyd, IA, December 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1983, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Floyd, IA
- Coordinates: 43.120178, -92.73001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1202&lon=-92.7300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi)
  - maneuver - performed
  - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - stall - not maintained, dual student (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) & STUDENT WERE ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THEY WERE MAKING 90 DEG TURNS AT ABOUT 1500 FT AGL, JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AFTER TURNING FROM A HEADING OF SOUTH TO EAST, THE ACFT ENTERED A DESCENT, THEN IMPACTED IN AN OPEN, SNOW COVERED FIELD IN ABOUT A 35 DEG NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE FLAPS WERE IN A 21 DEG EXTENDED POSITION (1ST NOTCH). THE FLAPS BLADES WERE FOUND WITH NICKS & GOUGES ON THEIR LEADING EDGES & WITH CORDWISE SCRATCHES. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WRE FOUND. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE MANEUVERS BEING PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DESCRIPTIVE OF SLOW FLT. HE DID RECOMMEND PRACTICING SLOW FLT AT LOW ALTITUDES. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT HAD RECEIVED HIS CFI CERTIFICATE 10/7/83.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4457E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78
- Airframe hours: 2088
- Engines: LYCOMING O-230 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles City Aeronautics
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CCY, CHARLES CITY, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 329 total, 69 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCW, 27 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 19831231064339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831231064339A), Dec 31, 1983: Piper PA38112, Floyd, IA, Substantial damage. Stalled and spun in during slow flight maneuvers. Instructor had limited teaching experience.

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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