# NTSB MKC87LA149: Piper PA-38-112, N2355N, Benton, KS, July 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1987, 20:00 local (Jul 30, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Benton, KS
- Coordinates: 37.77983, -97.099594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7798&lon=-97.0996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - rotation - improper, dual student (cause)
  - airspeed(vxse) - not attained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING SOFT FIELD TAKE OFFS, STUDENT PLT WITH CFI OVER ROTATED ACFT CAUSING PREMATURE FLT BEFORE ATTAINING VXSE AIRSPEED. CFI ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, BUT ACFT SETTLED IN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT BEYOND THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY. ACFT STRUCK THE TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2355N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2355N-1990-01-03), registration cancelled 1990-01-03, S/N 3879A0803 (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: 3879A0803
- Airframe hours: 1735
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel E. Lamaster
- Registered owner: Daniel E. Lamaster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1987, 9 hours before
- Departed: 1K1, BENTON, KS
- Airport: 1K1, Benton, runway 16, 2,600 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 754 total, 3 in this make and model, 531 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT, 20 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 19870729040089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870729040089A), Jul 29, 1987: Piper PA38112, Benton, KS, Substantial damage. Practicing soft field takeoffs. On climbout right over the trees aircraft stalled. Dropping left wing. Hit 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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