# NTSB WPR09CA011: Piper PA-38-112, N2572N, Fresno, CA, October 12, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 11, 2008, 17:45 local (Oct 12, 2008, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.842267, -119.87417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8423&lon=-119.8742&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 5, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA011

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path while on final approach.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: glide](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062027/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While on final for landing, the landing gear of the airplane struck a semi truck that was traveling on a road perpendicular to the runway at the approach end. The pilot had performed 10 full stop landings at the accident airport and was on approach for the 11th landing when the accident occurred. After impacting the trailer, the airplane landed on its belly and came to rest short of the runway. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he flown a higher approach. The driver and passenger in the vehicle stated that they had observed the airplane flying toward them and that it appeared low. Even though the airplane seemed low, the vehicle occupants thought it would clear the truck's trailer.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he had been practicing for his commercial pilot check ride. He performed two landings at one airport, before departing to practice additional landings at another airport (the accident airport). After arrival at the accident airport, the pilot performed 10 full stop landings. While on approach for another landing (the accident), the pilot thought the winds seemed strong and he maneuvered for a crosswind landing. On short final the landing gear clipped the roof of a furniture truck’s trailer. The airplane landed on its belly and came to rest short of the runway. In the Recommendation section of "how this accident/incident could have been prevented" of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/incident report (NTSB form 6120), the pilot stated that if he had flown a higher approach the accident could have been prevented. According to a responding officer from the Fresno Police Department, the airport was oriented northwest to southeast, with a 4 lane road that is perpendicular to the airport. Airplanes have to crossover the road to land. The driver and passenger of the furniture moving truck were traveling in a westbound direction at 50 miles per hour (mph), when they observed the airplane coming towards them. They reported that the airplane appeared too low to make the runway, but they did not think it unusual. The airplane struck the top forward portion of the truck's trailer. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the road is about 200 feet from the approach end of runway 30. A review of the flight school training program revealed under the safety rules section, the airport where the accident occurred, is considered "off-limits;" Sierra Sky Park Airport, Fresno, California. The flight school operates under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 141.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2572N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2572N-2011-11-09), registration cancelled 2011-11-09, S/N 3879A0925 (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: 3879A0925
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc., doing business as Mazzei Flying Service
- Registered owner: Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 15, 2008, 5,501 hours before
- Departed: FCH, Fresno, CA
- Destination: FCH, Fresno, CA
- Airport: E79, Sierra Sky Park Airport, runway 30, 2,920 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 184 total, 125 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 8 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 20081011848459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081011848459A), Oct 11, 2008: Piper PA38112, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On oct 11, 2008 at approx 1745 PDT a Piper PA-38, N2572N, with a private pilot operating the controls, solo, hit a cargo truck while on approach to…

## Other investigations on N2572N (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX01LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA217), Jun 22, 2001: Piper PA-38-112 (N2572N), Auburn, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the student pilot to maintain a proper airspeed during landing, which lead to a hard landing and porpoise down the runway leading to the collapse of the nose landing gear.
- [NTSB LAX00LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA075), Jan 15, 2000: Piper PA-38-112 (N2572N), Kernville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's in-flight decision to not refuel the airplane at an en route stop as planned.

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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