# NTSB NYC99LA087: Piper PA-38-112, N2472N, Lincoln Univ., PA, April 3, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1999, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln Univ., PA
- Coordinates: 39.780132, -75.879196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7801&lon=-75.8792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 10, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA087

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush.  Also causal was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, copilot/second pilot
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot had been performing touch and go landings, and emergency procedures.  After touching down on 'Runway S', a 1,500-foot-long grass runway, the student pilot increased the throttle, and abruptly pulled back on the yoke.  As the airplane climbed to about 20 feet above the runway, the stall warning horn began to sound, and the airplane became 'mushy'.  The airplane began to settle back to the ground, and the CFI took over the controls.  The airplane then impacted the ground, about 150 yards from the end of the runway, nose first.

## Factual narrative

On April 3, 1999, about 1330 Eastern Standard Time, N2472N, a Piper PA-38-112, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during takeoff from Harris Airport, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.  The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The CFI stated in a telephone interview that he and the student pilot had been performing touch and go landings, and emergency procedures at the Harris Airport.  After touching down on "Runway S", a 1,500-foot long grass runway, the student pilot increased the throttle, and abruptly pulled back on the yoke.  As the airplane climbed to about 20 feet above the runway, the stall warning horn began to sound, and the airplane became "mushy".  The airplane began to settle back to the ground, and the CFI took over the controls.  The airplane then impacted the ground, about 150 yards from the end of the runway, nose first, and sheared off the left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2472N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2472N), registered now, S/N 38-79A0860, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0860
- Airframe hours: 4830
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: New Garden Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 12, 1999, 21 hours before
- Departed: N57, TOUGHKENAMON, PA
- Airport: 3PA8, Harris Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 673 total, 109 in this make and model, 599 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 17 nm away

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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