# NTSB MKC85LA139: Piper PA-38-112, N6209A, Sheldon, IA, June 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Sheldon, IA
- Coordinates: 43.170589, -95.84027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1706&lon=-95.8403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33969/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA139

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLIGHT. AFTER THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN ON LANDING, THE ACFT VEERED LEFT, WENT INTO A CORN FIELD & NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MAY HAVE LET THE NOSE WHEEL CONTACT THE RWY BEFORE HE NEUTRALIZED THE RUDDER CONTROL. HE REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE NNE AT 13 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6209A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3878A0345
- Airframe hours: 1464
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald H. Mcclintock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1985
- Departed: EST, ESTERVILLE, IA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SHL, Sheldon Muni, runway 33, 2,800 × 50 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 59 total, 40 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 22° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850623043849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623043849A), Jun 23, 1985: Piper PA38112, Sheldon, IA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing and veered off runway. Gear collapsed and aircraft flipped over.

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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