# NTSB WPR09CA392: Piper PA-38-112, N939RG, Kamiah, ID, August 11, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 11, 2009, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Kamiah, ID - Coordinates: 46.219722, -116.01361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2197&lon=-116.0136&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA392 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74511/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74511 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA392 ## Probable cause The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on final for landing, the left wing dropped. As he attempted to correct it, the left main landing gear contacted the runway. The airplane bounced and skipped to the left side of the runway, then veered off the pavement. During the excursion the airplane struck a parked airplane and then hit a small building. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on final for landing, the left wing dropped. As he attempted to correct it, the left main landing gear contacted the runway. The airplane bounced and skipped to the left side of the runway, then veered off the pavement. During the excursion the airplane struck a parked airplane and then hit a small building. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N939RG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N939RG-2009-10-26), registration cancelled 2009-10-26, S/N 38-81A0070, built 1981 (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: 38-81A0070 - Airframe hours: 5086 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clearwater Valley Aero Club Inc. - Registered owner: Patrick Andrew S - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2009, 36 hours before - Departed: S73, Kamiah, ID - Destination: S73, Kamiah, ID - Airport: S73, Kamiah Municipal Airport, runway 32, 3,000 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 45 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: P69, 18 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 20090811013259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090811013259A), Aug 11, 2009: Piper PA38112, Kamiah, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed Kamiah airport (S73) for a local solo practice flight in prepartion for his private pilot check ride. Pilot returned to the airport… ## Other investigations on N939RG (1) 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 ANC06CA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA037), Mar 27, 2006: Piper PA-38-112 (N939RG), Marana, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather conditions and loss of directional control, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway during the takeoff roll, and striking a sign. A factor… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74511. 317 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.