On March 8, 1990, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2456P) operated by Grand Prairie Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Grand Prairie, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE CFI PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED, AND THE RESULTANT INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EXISTING LOW CEILING. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A scheduled airplane with a dead battery and missing transponder, microphone, and radios departed, then 20 minutes later witnesses observed it emerge from clouds, cross the airport, turn sharply, nose down, and impact nearly straight down. Weather was 400 ft overcast, 2 miles visibility.
Aircraft and Pre-Flight Status
The scheduled airplane had a dead battery. The flight instructor took an airplane that was not scheduled to be dispatched due to the lack of a transponder, a microphone, and radios.
Flight and Accident Sequence
Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, many witnesses saw the airplane coming out of the clouds from the south-southeast. They saw it cross over the airport and then turn north. When it was north of the airport, it started a sharp right turn, the nose pitched down, and the airplane disappeared from view. It impacted almost straight down.
Weather Conditions
A local weather observation by a local flight operation indicated a 400-foot overcast ceiling and visibility of 2 miles.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 8 Mar 1990 Piper PA-38-112 accident near Grand Prairie, TX?
A scheduled airplane with a dead battery and missing transponder, microphone, and radios departed, then 20 minutes later witnesses observed it emerge from clouds, cross the airport, turn sharply, nose down, and impact nearly straight down. Weather was 400 ft overcast, 2 miles visibility.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Mar 1990 involved a Piper PA-38-112, registration N2456P, operated by Grand Prairie Aviation, at Grand Prairie, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE CFI PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED, AND THE RESULTANT INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EXISTING LOW CEILING.