# NTSB NYC86LA200: Piper PA-38-112, N91356, Grove City, PA, August 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1986, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Grove City, PA
- Coordinates: 41.220153, -80.230979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2202&lon=-80.2310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) RPRTD THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AFTER CLIMBING OUT OF GND EFFECT, THE ACFT SEEMED TO LVL OFF & STOP CLIMBING. HE TOOK CONTROL FM THE STUDENT & PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE INSTRUMENTS, BUT NO SPECIFIC ABNORMALITY WAS DETERMINED. HE CHECKED THAT THE THROTTLE & MIXTURE WERE FULL FORWARD & APPLIED CARB HEAT TO CHECK FOR CARB ICE. THE STALL WARNING SOUNDED, SO HE MOVED THE CARB HEAT OFF & EXTENDED ONE NOTCH OF FLAPS. THE ACFT BEGAN DSCNDG & SUBSEQUENTLYIT HIT TREES & CRASH LANDED IN A SMALL 'OVERGROWN' FIELD. A POST-ACCIDENT EXAM & ENG RUN REVEALED ONE MAGNETO HAD A DEFECTIVE COIL & WAS INOP. NO OTHER PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CFI HAD A TOTAL FLT TIME OF 355.4 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N91356 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-82A0006
- Airframe hours: 1167
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wings, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1986, 27 hours before
- Airport: 29D, Grove City, runway 27, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 355 total, 250 in this make and model, 257 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860805037499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860805037499A), Aug 5, 1986: Piper PA38112, Grove City, PA, Substantial damage. Failed climb out of ground effect. CFI took over. Checked out but settled into trees. Had a inoperative magneto.

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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