On June 15, 1992, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2516D) operated by Desert Southwest Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Boulder City, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO INSURE THE PROPER FLAP SETTING FOR TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN THE PROPER CLIMB RATE NOT BEING ATTAINED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS RISING TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Piper PA-38-112 collided with an unmarked power transmission line static cable during a touch-and-go climb. The aircraft was at low altitude above rising terrain and struck the cable with its right wing while turning. Flaps were found fully extended, contrary to the aircraft manual's takeoff guidance.
Accident Details
A Piper PA-38-112 aircraft collided with an unmarked static cable of a power transmission line during the takeoff climb following a touch-and-go maneuver. The airplane was at a constant airspeed and low altitude above upsloping terrain located north of the airport. As it entered a right turn, the right wing struck the static cable.
Airport and Obstruction Information
The departure end of the runway has a 20:1 approach clear zone plane ratio that is obstructed by an approximately four-foot-high dirt berm. Rising terrain continues north of the airport but does not obstruct the 20:1 clearance ratio. Power transmission lines cross the extended centerline of Runway 33 on a northwesterly heading about 3,800 feet from the runway end. Support towers for the power transmission line cables are about 60 feet above ground level but did not extend into the 20:1 clearance ratio. The power transmission lines are depicted on the sectional aeronautical chart.
Aircraft Configuration
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the flaps were fully extended. The Piper information manual does not prescribe the use of full flaps for any takeoff maneuvers.