On July 26, 1986, 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.
A CFI and student crashed during a soft field takeoff after the aircraft stopped accelerating, received stall warnings, and struck uneven terrain. No defects were found in the aircraft. The CFI had 320 hours of total flying time.
Accident Overview
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were practicing touch-and-go landings. After completing a full stop landing, they initiated a soft field takeoff. During the takeoff, the CFI reported that acceleration seemed slower than usual. Following lift-off, the aircraft appeared to cease accelerating entirely. The stall warning system activated with several beeps, and the aircraft subsequently struck uneven terrain—specifically a road—and crashed.
Prior Events and Inspection
The CFI stated that they had been practicing soft field takeoffs in the same aircraft immediately before this lesson. After the accident, an inspection of the aircraft revealed no defects or malfunctions.
Pilot Experience
The CFI had a total of 320 hours of flying experience at the time of the accident.