# NTSB MKC89LA124: Piper PA-38, N38329, Buffalo, MN, June 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1989, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, MN
- Coordinates: 45.170978, -93.860603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1710&lon=-93.8606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA124

## Probable cause

MISJUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE BY THE STUDENT AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT BY THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI). CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, HIGH VEGETATION (GRASS), AND A DITCH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, dual student (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) STATED THAT WHILE THE STUDENT WAS PRACTICING A SIMULATED EMERGENCY LANDING, IT BECAME EVIDENT THE ACFT WOULD LAND SHORT OF THE RWY. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT & ADDED FULL POWER TO GO AROUND. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE & CONTACTED GRASS ON THE OVERRUN. THE PLT SAID THE GRASS 'DRAGGED THE AIRPLANE DOWNWARD CAUSING THE MAIN GEAR TO CONTACT THE SURFACE.'  AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST WHICH CAUSED IT TO WEATHERVANE. THE ACFT THEN SWERVED TO THE LEFT, CONTACTED THE TERRAIN WITH THE LEFT WING, SPUN AROUND & HIT A DITCH. THE INSTRUCTOR HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 369 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38329](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38329-1994-07-19), registration cancelled 1994-07-19, S/N 3879A1124 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A1124
- Airframe hours: 1337
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marsh, Terry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 24, 1989, 23 hours before
- Departed: 8Y2
- Airport: 8Y2, Buffalo, runway 35, 2,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 369 total, 25 in this make and model, 304 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCM, 40 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 19890604015549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890604015549A), Jun 4, 1989: Piper PA38112, Buffalo, MN, Substantial damage. Failed to correct high sink rate on a simulated forced landing. Landed short. Gust lifted wing causing ground loop.

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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