Casualties unknown

1983-04-21: Piper PA-38-112 (N2444N) — Middleton, WI

Middleton, WI, US

On April 21, 1983, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2444N) was involved in an aviation accident near Middleton, WI. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight, the student's inadequate back pressure release and right rudder application after takeoff led to a left drift and near-stall. The instructor landed, but the left main gear touched down off the runway, causing a ground loop, gear shear, and aircraft flip.

Overview

A training flight ended with an off-runway landing and subsequent ground loop after the student pilot's control inputs were deemed insufficient by the instructor. The aircraft flipped over after the engine gear sheared off.

Instructor's Account

According to the instructor pilot, the student failed to reduce back pressure enough and did not apply sufficient right rudder after the aircraft became airborne. This caused the aircraft to drift left and approach a stall. The instructor then assumed control and performed a landing.

Landing and Ground Loop

During the landing, the left main gear touched down approximately one foot to the left of the asphalt runway. The soft ground created drag that pulled the aircraft leftwards as it decelerated. The drag was strong enough to shear off the engine gear, and the aircraft flipped over.

Damage

The aircraft flipped over, resulting in damage to the engine gear and structure. The instructor pilot reported the sequence of events, noting that the student's control inputs initiated the chain of events.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X42632. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.