Piper PA-38-112 accident near Indianapolis, Indiana, July 10, 1989
On July 10, 1989 at about 1:00 am local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N2545A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Indianapolis, Indiana (Greenwood Muni. airport). It was an instructional 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
IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE PILOT. THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 10, 1989 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Indianapolis, Indiana · Greenwood Muni. · 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
- N2545A · no longer on the register · serial 38-7A0746
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PLT ON A SOLO FLT WAS ATTEMPTING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, FLARED HIGH AND BOUNCED. HE ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING WITH A POWER ADDITION AND REDUCTION. WHEN HE SAW HE WAS GOING TO BOUNCE AGAIN, HE MADE TWO ADDITIONAL POWER APPLICATIONS AND REDUCTIONS. HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL TO THE LEFT WHEN THE LEFT WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY WITH FULL POWER ON THE AIRCRAFT. HE LANDED OFF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A FENCE POST WITH THE RIGHT WING. THE STUDENT HAD 6 HOURS SOLO TIME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
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: 30 hours in all; 24 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 6 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,530 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 20, 1989; 89 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,475 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 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.