# NTSB MKC88LA075: Piper PA-28-161, N31900, Fort Smith, AR, April 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1988, 20:00 local (Apr 8, 1988, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Smith, AR
- Coordinates: 35.369106, -94.419052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3691&lon=-94.4191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE STUDENT PILOT PERFORMING HIS FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT, SAID THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A LEFT TURN.  HE SAID THE RUDDER PEDALS FELT INOPERATIVE.  HE REDUCED POWER AND LANDED ADJACENT THE RUNWAY SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE ACFT.  SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED NO CONTROL MALFUNCTION, NOR LACK OF CONTINUITY OF THE CONTROL SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31900](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31900), registered now, S/N 28-7816592, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287816592
- Airframe hours: 2722
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grady Stone Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: FSM, FORT SMITH, AR
- Destination: FSM
- Airport: FSM, Ft. Smith Muni, runway 25, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM, 1 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 19880407009789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880407009789A), Apr 7, 1988: Piper PA28161, Fort Smith, AR, Substantial damage. Student on first solo lost control on liftoff and hit a fence. Believed no rudder control. No defects were found.

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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