# NTSB NYC88FA158: Piper PA-38-112, N2317N, Enon Valley, PA, June 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1988, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Enon Valley, PA
- Coordinates: 40.849845, -80.450302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8498&lon=-80.4503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO DROP AND A LEFT ROTATION STARTED. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ROTATION STOPPED BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A TREE LINE. THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN ONE MINUTE OF IMPACT AND BURNED. THE PRIVATE PILOT WORKING ON COMMERCIAL MANEUVERS AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE COCKPIT AREA WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. NO PRE-EXISTING PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME. COMPANY POLICY WAS TO TERMINATE ALL MANEUVERS AT 500 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS MANEUVERING AT STEEP ANGLES OF BANK AND BELOW 500 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2317N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2317N-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 3879A0785 (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: 3879A0785
- Airframe hours: 2771
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Beaver Aviation Services Inc.
- Registered owner: Beaver Aviation Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 3, 1988, 21 hours before
- Departed: G01, BEAVER FALLS, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,105 total, 284 in this make and model, 963 as pilot in command, 381 in the last 90 days, 159 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: G01, 8 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 19880607021229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880607021229A), Jun 7, 1988: Piper PA38112, Enon Valley, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed in a spin and last minute pullout too low for recovery. Burned on impact. Was a dual flight for stalls.

## Other investigations on N2317N (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC85LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA071), Feb 21, 1985: Piper PA-38-112 (N2317N), Beaver Falls, PA, substantial damage

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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