Piper PA-38-112 accident near Mc Donough, Georgia, November 5, 1988
On November 5, 1988 at about 5:49 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N2407L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mc Donough, Georgia (Berry Hill airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 1988 · about 5:49 pm local time
- Place
- Mc Donough, Georgia · Berry Hill · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N2407L · registry record · serial 38-79A0695
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD BUT CRASHED SHORT. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE PILOT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED AS AN AIRMAN AND HE DID NOT HAVE THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. THE INVESTIGATION ALSO FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. HOWEVER, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE FUEL SYSTEM NOR FUEL SPILLAGE AROUND THE WRECKAGE. THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL BEFORE THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT DID NOT SUBMIT AN ACCIDENT REPORT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,934 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 3, 1987; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Stockbridge GA at 5:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 3,000 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.