# NTSB NYC88LA233: Piper PA-38-112, N2568N, Parker City, PA, September 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1988, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Parker City, PA
- Coordinates: 41.089191, -79.680809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0892&lon=-79.6808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA233

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment,transponder - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO PERFORM LANDINGS AT SOME NEARBY APTS TO PREPARE THE STUDENT FOR AN UPCOMING CHECK FLT. LANDINGS WERE COMPLETED AT TWO APTS AND THE PIC, AN ATP/CFI, REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO ANOTHER APT. APPROACH CONTROL WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ACFT ON RADAR AND THE PLT ADVISED THAT HIS TRANSPONDER WAS INOP. THE PLT THEN CANCELLED HIS REQUEST AND LEFT THE APPROACH CONTROL FREQ. ABOUT 20 MIN LATER THE PLT AGAIN CALLED APPROACH CONTROL AND REQUESTED RADAR ASSISTANCE. THE PLT SAID HIS TRANSPONDER AND VOR WERE BOTH INOP AND WHEN ASKED, HE WAS UNSURE OF HIS POSITION. RADAR CONTACT WAS NEVER ACQUIRED AND FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING. THE VOR BENCH CHECKED OK AFTER THE ACDT BUT THE TRANSPONDER WAS INOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2568N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2568N-1991-02-22), registration cancelled 1991-02-22, S/N 3879A0924 (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: 38-79A0924
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Beaver Aviation Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Beaver Aviation Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: BVI, BEAVER FALLS, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,857 total, 27 in this make and model, 3,403 as pilot in command, 141 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880903048639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880903048639A), Sep 3, 1988: Piper PA38112, Parker City, PA, Substantial damage. (.4)The purpose of the flt was to perform landings at some nearby apts to prepare the student for an upcoming check flt. Landings were completed at two apts…

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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