# NTSB SEA90FA072: Piper PA-38-112, N2359L, Jean, NV, May 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1990, 13:17 local (20:17 UTC)
- Place: Jean, NV
- Coordinates: 35.749832, -115.529853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7498&lon=-115.5299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA072

## Probable cause

SEVERE DOWNDRAFTS/WINDSHEAR WHICH EXCEEDED THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT ENCOUNTERED METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS DESCRIBED BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AS TREMENDOUS DOWNDRAFTS. THE PIPER PA-38-112 CRASHED ON CROSSWIND LEG, INJURING BOTH OCCUPANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2359L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2359L-1991-01-29), registration cancelled 1991-01-29, S/N 3879A0731 (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: 38-79A0731
- Airframe hours: 3190
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Desert Southwest Airlines
- Registered owner: James C Zsorey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 14, 1990, 48 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: 0L7, Jean, runway 20, 4,545 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,404 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,331 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 20 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 21 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 19900507014869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900507014869A), May 7, 1990: Piper PA38112, Jean, NV, Destroyed. Circling airport on downwind side of a mountain. Got into windshear and downdraft. Impacted wing low.

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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