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NTSB Report
September 13, 1983 · Piper PA-38-112 · N9734T
S. Lake Tahoe, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
S. Lake Tahoe, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N9734T
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA439
THE ACFT CRASHED DURING LOW ALT TURN FOLLOWING TAKEOFF FROM THE SO. LAKE TAHOE ARPT. THE TOWER CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT, AFTER TAKEOFF, THAT HE COULD TURN AND CIRCLE THE VALLEY TO GAIN ALT BEFORE PROCEEDING ON COURSE. THE ACFT MADE ONE 360 DEG TURN AND STARTED ANOTHER. ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN IT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND THE ACFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK THEGROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL AND 'REVVED' UP BEFORE IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE DENSITY ALT AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 8500 FT MSL. IN ADDITION, ALTHOUGH THE ACFT WAS FOUND WITHIN CG LIMITS, CALCULATIONS REVEALED THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GW LIMITS WERE EXCEEDED BEFORE AND AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. NO OTHER AIRCRAFT DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED DURING LOW ALT TURN FOLLOWING TAKEOFF FROM THE SO. LAKE TAHOE ARPT. THE TOWER CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT, AFTER TAKEOFF, THAT HE COULD TURN AND CIRCLE THE VALLEY TO GAIN ALT BEFORE PROCEEDING ON COURSE. THE ACFT MADE ONE 360 DEG TURN AND STARTED ANOTHER. ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN IT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND THE ACFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK THEGROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL AND 'REVVED' UP BEFORE IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE DENSITY ALT AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 8500 FT MSL. IN ADDITION, ALTHOUGH THE ACFT WAS FOUND WITHIN CG LIMITS, CALCULATIONS REVEALED THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GW LIMITS WERE EXCEEDED BEFORE AND AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. NO OTHER AIRCRAFT DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:36 PDT
Nearest AirportS. Lake Tahoe (2nm SE)
Runway18
Runway Length8544 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN9734T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:36
Weather SourceWFAC