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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 16, 1988 · Piper PA-38-112 · N4233E

Barnwell, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 16, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Barnwell, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N4233E
Operator
Crystal Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA145

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COWLING UNFASTENED AND BEGAN FLUTTERING VIOLENTLY. THE INSTRUCTOR ASSUMED CONTROL OF ACFT & MADE A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO A CULTIVATED FIELD. THE ACFT NOSED UP SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. AN FAA INSPECTOR AT THE AIRPORT WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT & EXAMINED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE RPTED THAT THE DZEUS FASTENERS IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TOP PORTION OF THE COWL WERE ABSENT. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF THE FASTENERS WAS NOT DETERMINED. A MAINTENANCE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE TAKEOFF WAS BEGUN AT A RWY INTERSECTION LEAVING ABOUT 2500 FT OF A 5,118 FT RWY FOR THE TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COWLING UNFASTENED AND BEGAN FLUTTERING VIOLENTLY. THE INSTRUCTOR ASSUMED CONTROL OF ACFT & MADE A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO A CULTIVATED FIELD. THE ACFT NOSED UP SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. AN FAA INSPECTOR AT THE AIRPORT WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT & EXAMINED THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE RPTED THAT THE DZEUS FASTENERS IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TOP PORTION OF THE COWL WERE ABSENT. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF THE FASTENERS WAS NOT DETERMINED. A MAINTENANCE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE TAKEOFF WAS BEGUN AT A RWY INTERSECTION LEAVING ABOUT 2500 FT OF A 5,118 FT RWY FOR THE TAKEOFF.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportBARNWELL (0nm N)
Runway34
Runway Length5118 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN4233E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCrystal Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data