On October 16, 1988, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N25619) operated by Satchell, Charles was involved in an aviation accident near Van Nuys, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During the landing roll, a student pilot lost directional control and attempted a go-around. The airplane veered left, departed the runway, crossed a grass divider, and struck a fence, trees, and a utility pole.
Accident Details
During the course of a landing roll, a student pilot experienced a loss of directional control of the airplane. In an effort to recover, the student pilot initiated a go-around procedure. However, before the airplane could become airborne, it deviated to the left of the runway centerline and subsequently departed the runway surface. The airplane then traversed a grass divider and collided with a fence, trees, and a utility pole.
Pilot Report
In both oral and written statements, the student pilot indicated that no mechanical failures or malfunctions were present with the airplane prior to the accident. The pilot's account focused solely on the loss of directional control during the landing roll and the subsequent go-around attempt that was not completed in time to prevent the departure from the runway and the collision with obstacles.