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NTSB Report
December 31, 1983 · Piper PA-38-112 · N4457E
Floyd, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Floyd, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N4457E
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC84FA049
THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) & STUDENT WERE ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THEY WERE MAKING 90 DEG TURNS AT ABOUT 1500 FT AGL, JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AFTER TURNING FROM A HEADING OF SOUTH TO EAST, THE ACFT ENTERED A DESCENT, THEN IMPACTED IN AN OPEN, SNOW COVERED FIELD IN ABOUT A 35 DEG NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE FLAPS WERE IN A 21 DEG EXTENDED POSITION (1ST NOTCH). THE FLAPS BLADES WERE FOUND WITH NICKS & GOUGES ON THEIR LEADING EDGES & WITH CORDWISE SCRATCHES. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WRE FOUND. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE MANEUVERS BEING PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DESCRIPTIVE OF SLOW FLT. HE DID RECOMMEND PRACTICING SLOW FLT AT LOW ALTITUDES. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT HAD RECEIVED HIS CFI CERTIFICATE 10/7/83.
Full Narrative
THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) & STUDENT WERE ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THEY WERE MAKING 90 DEG TURNS AT ABOUT 1500 FT AGL, JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AFTER TURNING FROM A HEADING OF SOUTH TO EAST, THE ACFT ENTERED A DESCENT, THEN IMPACTED IN AN OPEN, SNOW COVERED FIELD IN ABOUT A 35 DEG NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE FLAPS WERE IN A 21 DEG EXTENDED POSITION (1ST NOTCH). THE FLAPS BLADES WERE FOUND WITH NICKS & GOUGES ON THEIR LEADING EDGES & WITH CORDWISE SCRATCHES. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WRE FOUND. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE MANEUVERS BEING PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DESCRIPTIVE OF SLOW FLT. HE DID RECOMMEND PRACTICING SLOW FLT AT LOW ALTITUDES. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT HAD RECEIVED HIS CFI CERTIFICATE 10/7/83.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CST
Nearest Airport6nm NW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN4457E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-230 · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point23 C / 16 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:52
Weather SourceWFAC