# NTSB NYC82FGT17: Piper PA-38, N2454F, Lancaster, PA, August 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1982, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, PA
- Location: 40.0421° N, 76.3010° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lancaster, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0421&lon=-76.3010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FGT17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FGT17

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS MAKING TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLT. DURING FINAL APPROACH THE TOWER INSTRUCTED THE PLT TO GO AROUND DUE TO SPACING BEHIND ANOTHER ACFT. THE PLT STATED HE APPLIED FULL POWER, RETRACTED FLAPS, CLIMBED OUT TO 800 FT & TURNED CROSSWIND. FROM THIS POINT WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BEGAN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN WHICH CONTINUED TO GROUND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2454F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2454F-1982-11-16), registration cancelled 1982-11-16, S/N 38-79A0455, built 1979 (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: 38-79A0455
- Airframe hours: 624
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hill Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hill Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: LANCASTER, PA
- Destination: LANCASTER, PA
- Airport: Lancaster, runway 31, 4,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 162 °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 19820813039749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820813039749A), Aug 13, 1982: Piper PA38112, Lancaster, PA, Destroyed. Student on first solo experienced medical problem, after go-around recalled nothing until crash.

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.