# NTSB MKC90LA013: Piper PA-38-112, N2366N, Charles City, IA, October 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1989, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Charles City, IA
- Coordinates: 43.059593, -92.669265 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0596&lon=-92.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA013

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING PHASE COUPLED WITH THE CFI'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION DURING THE INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE CFI'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence

## Analysis

WHILE GIVING A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVEIW TO A NON-CURRENT PRIVATE PILOT, THE CFI SAID THAT THEY LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING A LANDING, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE, THEN THE TERRAIN. THE CFI HAD A TOTAL OF 20 HOURS IN TYPE AND NO HOURS IN TYPE FOR THE PRECEEDING 90 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2366N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2366N-1991-11-22), registration cancelled 1991-11-22, S/N 3879A0812 (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: 38-79A0812
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Charles City Aeronautics, Inc
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: CCY, Charles City, runway 12, 4,000 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 529 total, 20 in this make and model, 489 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MCW, 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 19891022042009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891022042009A), Oct 22, 1989: Piper PA38112, Charles City, IA, Substantial damage. Leveled off high,dropped a wing causing swerve to left of runway heading. CFI tried to go around but struck a ditch

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.