Piper PA-38-112 accident near Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 19, 1982
On January 19, 1982 at about 8:36 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N26093, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grand Rapids, Michigan (Kent County airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. 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
- January 19, 1982 · about 8:36 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Rapids, Michigan · Kent County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N26093 · no longer on the register · serial 38-81AO115
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS A STUDENT ON A CHECK FLIGHT FOR A PRIVATE LICENSE. THE CHECK PILOT WAS AN FAA INSPECTOR. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED FROM AN AIRPORT WITH RUNWAYS THAT WERE PARTIALLY COVERED WITH SNOW AND ICE. THE MISHAP OCCURRED WHILE THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF ON THE THIRD DEPARTURE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT DURING ROTATION. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THEN BROUGHT THE NOSE DOWN, SHUT THE POWER OFF, APPLIED BRAKES, AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID INTO THE SNOW. THE INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE PLANE LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY, THEN SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY AFTER A VERY SHORT TIME. WHEN THE PLANE SLID TO THE LEFT OF THE CENTERLINE, THE INSPECTOR PUT HER FOOT ON THE RIGHT RUDDER PEDAL. SHE FOUND THAT THE PILOT ALREADY HAD IT COMPLETELY DEPRESSED. AS THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WENT INTO THE SNOW, THE AIRCRAFT WAS PULLED FARTHER LEFT. IT CAME TO REST 6 FEET OFF OF THE RUNWAY WITH DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER, LEFT WING, AND AN ENGINE MOUNT.
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: student
- Flight time: 57 hours in all; 48 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 21 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 215 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Bartell Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: GRR Grand Rapids MI at 3:35 pm
- Destination: GRR Grand Rapids MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 8, 3,900 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft; scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:40 pm from GRR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N26093 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.