# NTSB SEA89LA077: Piper PA-38-112, N4439E, Gerlach, NV, May 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1989, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Gerlach, NV
- Coordinates: 40.859527, -119.319572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8595&lon=-119.3196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA077

## Probable cause

A DELAY BY THE PILOT IN ABORTING THE LANDING AND HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR THE GO-AROUND (ABORTED LANDING).  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA THAT WAS SELECTED BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/mush

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) ELECTED TO DEMONSTRATE A SOFT FIELD LANDING AT AN UNIMPROVED RANCH STRIP.  AS HE WAS ABOUT TO LAND, HE SAW MOUNDS OF SOFT DIRT ON THE STRIP & INCREASED POWER TO 'CARRY THE GLIDE BEYOND THEM.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, HE REALIZED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING TO COMPLETE THE LANDING, SO HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND. HE APPLIED FULL POWER & RAISED THE ACFT'S NOSE TO CLEAR A FENCE, BUT THE ACFT LOST FLYING SPEED & SETTLED INTO A FIELD BEYOND THE LANDING AREA. THE LANDING GEAR THEN HIT AN IRRIGATION PIPE & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4439E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4439E-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 38-78A0604 (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: 78A0604
- Airframe hours: 2008
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Eugene E. Thebus
- Registered owner: Eugene E. Phebus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1989, 9 hours before
- Departed: 45D, RENO, NV
- Destination: RNO
- Airport: Spoo Ranch Strip, runway 18, 2,500 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 831 total, 22 in this make and model, 691 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890501010629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890501010629A), May 1, 1989: Piper PA38112, Gerlach, NV, Substantial damage. Demonstrating soft field landing on unimproved strip. Too high,began go around,cleared a fence and mushed into field

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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