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August 12, 2009 · Piper PA-38-112 · N86GW

Glendale, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Glendale, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N86GW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09LA395

The student pilot/owner was on a solo instructional flight when the engine lost power during the upwind leg after takeoff. During the forced landing in a dirt field, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was examined by investigators following recovery. The engine was started and ran smoothly for 5 minutes at various power settings. No preexisting mechanical anomalies were noted with the examination of the recovered airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C

Full Narrative

On August 12, 2009, about 1010 mountain standard time (MST), a Piper PA-38-112, N86GW, made a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Glendale Municipal Airport, Glendale, Arizona. The student pilot, who is also the owner, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The student pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The local instructional flight departed Phoenix, Arizona, about 0930. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The student pilot reported that after completing his seventh touch-and-go, and on the upwind leg after reaching 400-500 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. During the forced landing onto a dirt field, the outboard section of the left wing was damaged. The student pilot stated he had recently purchased the airplane from the estate of the previous owner. The airplane was recovered from the dirt parking lot for further examination. On August 19, 2009, an examination of the airplane was conducted by FAA inspectors at Air Transport, Inc., Phoenix. The engine was started and ran smoothly for about 5 minutes. No preexisting mechanical anomalies were noted with the examination of the recovered airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 MST
Nearest AirportGlendale Municipal Airport (2nm)
Runway19
Runway Length7150 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN86GW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 SERIES · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time17:22
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data