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Local Flight Crash in Wooded Terrain After Engine Power Decrease (N2603G)

Smithfield, RI, US

On March 8, 1990, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2603G) operated by North Central Airways, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Smithfield, RI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE. 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 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A local flight ended in a crash on wooded terrain after witnesses reported decreased engine power and a nose drop. The pilot, who had received a private pilot certificate the previous day, was practicing stalls before impact.

Incident Overview and Witness Accounts About five minutes after the pilot and passenger departed on a local flight, witnesses observed a decrease in engine power and saw the nose of the aircraft drop. The aircraft then descended and crashed on wooded terrain. One witness reported that just before impact, the pilot was practicing stalls at an altitude of about 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot had received his private pilot certificate the previous day, and his total flight time was about 68 hours. The aircraft's gross weight was estimated to have been about 1,740 pounds, while its maximum certified weight was 1,670 pounds.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Mar 1990 Piper PA-38-112 accident near Smithfield, RI?

A local flight ended in a crash on wooded terrain after witnesses reported decreased engine power and a nose drop. The pilot, who had received a private pilot certificate the previous day, was practicing stalls before impact.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Mar 1990 involved a Piper PA-38-112, registration N2603G, operated by North Central Airways, Inc., at Smithfield, RI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22803. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.