# NTSB MKC85LA083: Piper PA-38-112, N2392N, Mechanicsville, IA, April 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1985, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Mechanicsville, IA
- Coordinates: 41.900325, -91.250274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9003&lon=-91.2503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA083

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A SHORT, WET, SOFT, ALFALFA FIELD IN AN ACFT LOADED WITH TWO OCCURANTS AND APRX A FULL LOAD OF FUEL. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND A TREE AFTER USING THE AVAILABLE DISTANCE IN THE FLT ATTEMPT. PLT RECOMMENDED A MORE COMPREHENSIVE CHECK OF ACFT WT & BAL AND ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE FOR EXTRA TAKEOFF DISTANCE ON SOFT & ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2392N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2392N-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 3879A0821 (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: 38-79A0821
- Airframe hours: 20
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tibben Flight Lines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 7 in this make and model, 148 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 16 °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 19850413029409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850413029409A), Apr 13, 1985: Piper PA38112, Mechanicsville, IA, Substantial damage. Struck fence and trees after attempting takeoff from wet, rough, soft, short field.

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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