# NTSB SEA94LA165: Piper PA-38-112, N24201, Mccall, ID, July 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1994, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Mccall, ID
- Location: 44.9084° N, 116.1125° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McCall, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9084&lon=-116.1125&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA165

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND ATTEMPTED OPERATION WHICH EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS INCLUDE HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A LANDING AND TAKEOFF FROM THE MOUNTAIN AIRSTRIP AFTER BEING CAUTIONED ABOUT USING RUNWAYS THAT WERE EVEN LONGER THAN THE AIRSTRIP AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO LIFT OFF AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PERFORMANCE FOR THE AIRSTRIP AND EXISTING CONDITIONS.

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 1994, approximately 1300 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N24201, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from Copenhaver airstrip, an unimproved airstrip about fifty miles northeast of McCall, Idaho.  The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured.  No flight plan was filed for the flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The ELT did not activate.

The pilot stated that he did a preflight, runup, and full power takeoff using one notch of flaps.  He said that the aircraft lifted off and remained in ground effect for a couple hundred feet before reaching the end of the 1100 foot runway and descending into the river.  The pilot had flown into the airstrip about 0900.  Boise, Idaho weather was clear, with temperature of 86 degrees, and barometric pressure of 29.96, at 1300.

The pilot did not provide an accident report.  The operator stated that, earlier that day, he had told the pilot--who wanted to go fishing--not to take the aircraft into several longer airstrips.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24201](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24201-2004-04-05), registration cancelled 2004-04-05, S/N 38-79A1099 (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
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1994, 2 hours before
- Destination: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Airport: Copenhaver Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19940701018979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940701018979A), Jul 1, 1994: Piper PA38112, Mccall, ID, Substantial damage. Unable to climb out of ground effect departing short strip. Descended into river at end of strip. Temp 85 degrees.

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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