Piper PA-38-112 accident near Oakdale, California, August 20, 1994
On August 20, 1994 at about 1:45 am local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N2436N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oakdale, California (Oakdale airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
1) THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY, 2) HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A TIMELY GO AROUND, AND 3) HIS INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 1994 · about 1:45 am local time
- Place
- Oakdale, California · Oakdale · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N2436N · registry record · serial 38-7900841
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT REPORTED THAT THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR INTENTIONALLY ENTERED THE PATTERN FOR A DOWNWIND LANDING TO SIMULATE A POWER OFF FORCED LANDING DOWNWIND ON THE 3,000-FOOT-LONG RUNWAY. WHILE ON DOWNWIND, THE INSTRUCTOR SIMULATED THE POWER LOSS BY EITHER PULLING THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO IDLE CUT OFF OR REDUCING THE THROTTLE. THE STUDENT SAID THE AIRCRAFT LANDED VERY LONG ON THE RUNWAY AND THE INSTRUCTOR ADDED POWER TO TAKEOFF AGAIN WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINED TO STOP ON THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A CANAL DITCH EMBANKMENT.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,580 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 10, 1994; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Diamond K Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: O27 at 1:00 am
- Destination: O27
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 3,020 ft by 66 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
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.