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NTSB Report
May 5, 1991 · Piper PA-38-112 · N9285
Odessa, DE
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Odessa, DE
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N9285
Operator
Dawn Aeronautics
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO91FA048
A WITNESS SAID THEY SAW THE ACFT FLYING IN THE AREA FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES DOING A MANEUVER IN WHICH THE ACFT BANKED AND DESCENDED WITH ENGINE POWER INCREASING DURING THE DESCENT. THE WITNESSES SAID THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITH THE ACCIDENT OCCURING THE THIRD TIME. HE SAID THE ACFT WAS AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING THE MANEUVER. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SWAMP IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE STUDENT PLT FAILED HIS PRIVATE PILOT TEST FLIGHT ABOUT A WEEK EARLIER. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, DURING THE TEST HE FAILED ALL FLIGHT PHASES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON HIS SECOND FLIGHT SINCE THE TEST, NEITHER OF WHICH INVOLVED DUAL INSTRUCTION WITH HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECOVER FROM A STALL. CONTRIBUTING WAS AN INTENTIONAL STALL OF THE AIRCRAFT, PILOT INEXPEREINCE AND INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.
Full Narrative
A WITNESS SAID THEY SAW THE ACFT FLYING IN THE AREA FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES DOING A MANEUVER IN WHICH THE ACFT BANKED AND DESCENDED WITH ENGINE POWER INCREASING DURING THE DESCENT. THE WITNESSES SAID THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITH THE ACCIDENT OCCURING THE THIRD TIME. HE SAID THE ACFT WAS AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING THE MANEUVER. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SWAMP IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE STUDENT PLT FAILED HIS PRIVATE PILOT TEST FLIGHT ABOUT A WEEK EARLIER. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, DURING THE TEST HE FAILED ALL FLIGHT PHASES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON HIS SECOND FLIGHT SINCE THE TEST, NEITHER OF WHICH INVOLVED DUAL INSTRUCTION WITH HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN9285
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDawn Aeronautics
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 10 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:00
Weather SourceWFAC