# NTSB NYC88LA230: Piper PA-38-112, N2445N, Manville, NJ, August 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1988, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Manville, NJ
- Location: 40.5244° N, 74.5983° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CENTRAL JERSEY RGNL (47N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5244&lon=-74.5983&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - air/ground communications - not used, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,steering system - sheared

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING SIX LANDINGS WITH AN INSTRUCTOR THE STUDENT PLT WAS RELEASED BY THE INSTRUCTOR FOR HIS FIRST SOLO FLT TO BE CONDUCTED AS A SERIES OF CLOSED PATTERN TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. ON HIS FIRST SOLO LANDING THE STUDENT PLT LANDED NOSE WHEEL FIRST WITH A HIGH SINK RATE. THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING LINKAGE FAILED AND ON THE SECOND LANDING THE NOSE WHEEL WAS COCKED 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. AT TOUCH DOWN THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT SHEARING THE NOSE GEAR AND DAMAGING THE PROPELLER, ENGINE MOUNTS, FIREWALL, AND UNDERSIDE LONGITUDINAL STRINGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2445N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2445N-1991-05-30), registration cancelled 1991-05-30, S/N 3879A0846 (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: 38-112
- Airframe hours: 2250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kupper Aero Sales,Inc.
- Registered owner: Tri-State Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 47N
- Destination: 47N
- Airport: 47N, Kupper, runway 7, 3,415 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 9 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19880827038369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880827038369A), Aug 27, 1988: Piper PA38112, Manville, NJ, Destroyed. Student failed timely flare on first solo. Hit nosewheel first. Second landing nose wheel was cocked. Exited runway

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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