Piper PA-38-112 accident near Criders, Virginia, June 1, 1989
On June 1, 1989 at about 3:36 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N2602L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Criders, Virginia (Smiths airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 1989 · about 3:36 pm local time
- Place
- Criders, Virginia · Smiths · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N2602L · no longer on the register · serial 38-79A0776
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE TAKEOFF WAS BEING MADE TO THE EAST ON THE PILOT'S PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT REPORTED WINDS FROM THE NORTH AT 5 KTS GUSTING TO 10 KTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF APRX 30 FT AGL THE ACFT VEERED RIGHT AND DESCENDED INTO A WOODED AREA WHICH BORDERED THE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE OR ITS SYSTEMS.
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
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,750 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,099 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 27, 1988; 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
- Destination: VA86 New Market VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 1,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.