# NTSB NYC92LA114: Piper PA-38-112, N2326K, Elkton, MD, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Elkton, MD
- Coordinates: 39.599048, -75.820373 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5990&lon=-75.8204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA114

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER CLIMB ATTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN AN AERODYNAMIC STALL. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE AIRPLANE WEIGHT AND BALANCE WAS EXCEEDED, THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRPLANE, AND HIS LACK OF RECENT TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD NOT FLOWN FOR OVER 30 MONTHS.  HE RECEIVED 1.9 HOURS OF DUAL INSTRUCTION THE MONTH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  THE DUAL INSTRUCTION WAS NOT CONSIDERED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW.  THE TRAINING WAS A CHECK OUT IN AN AIRPLANE NEW TO THE PILOT, CONDUCTED AT A MAJOR AIRPORT WITH LONG RUNWAYS. THIS DEPARTURE WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST TAKEOFF ON A SHORT RUNWAY WITH OBSTACLES.  TAKEOFF POWER WAS APPLIED WHILE THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED. AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PILOT ESTABLISHED THE AIRPLANE, WHICH WAS 40 POUNDS OVER THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT, IN A CLIMB ATTITUDE WHICH ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO BLEED OFF FROM THE DESIRED 55 KNOTS, TO 40 KNOTS.  THE AIRPLANE STALLED, STRUCK TREES AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2326K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2326K-2001-03-05), registration cancelled 2001-03-05, S/N 38-79A0575 (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: 3879A0575
- Airframe hours: 6144
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dawn Aviation
- Registered owner: Dawn Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1992
- Destination: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Airport: 2N0, Cecil County Airpark, runway 17, 2,500 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 2 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Observed at: ILG, 10 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 19920614021819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614021819A), Jun 14, 1992: Piper PA38112, Elkton, MD, Substantial damage. Failed to climb on takeoff after long roll. Stalled into trees off end runway. Warm day and 40LBS over gross weight

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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