# NTSB MKC84FA155: Piper PA-38-112, N2364D, Hills, IA, May 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1984, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Hills, IA
- Coordinates: 41.570907, -91.529457 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5709&lon=-91.5295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA155

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A 90 DEGREE BANK WITH THE NOSE DOWN ABOUT 20 DEGREES. THE ACFT HAD BEEN SEEN IN A SERIESOF LOW ALT DIVES AND CLIMBS. ON THIS LAST CLIMB OVER THE TREES A WITNESS SAW A WING SUDDENLY DROP AND THE ACFT DISAPPEAR BEHIND THE TREES. THE PLT WAS AN INSTRUCTOR WHO HAD GONE OUT SOLO FOR LOCAL PRACTICE FLYING ONLY A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. NOTHING MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL WAS FOUND THAT WAS CONSIDERED CAUSAL IN NATURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2364D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3879A0283
- Airframe hours: 2639
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Iowa City Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 24, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: IOW, IOWA CITY, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,770 total, 1,521 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID, 24 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 19840531020139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840531020139A), May 31, 1984: Piper PA38112, Hills, IA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed while performing unusual maneuvers close to the ground.

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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