Piper PA-38-112 accident near Fresno, California, December 8, 2009
On December 8, 2009 at about 8:48 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N2539D, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fresno, California (Fresno Yosemite International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 8, 2009 · about 8:48 pm local time
- Place
- Fresno, California · Fresno Yosemite International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N2539D · no longer on the register · serial 38-79A0360
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he was held on the ground for about 10 minutes due to landing traffic. Upon receiving takeoff clearance he taxied onto the runway, advanced the throttle and observed normal engine rpm. During takeoff initial climb, he realized that the airplane was not climbing normally. As the airplane crossed over the airport perimeter road northwest of the departure runway, the engine started to run rough along with fluctuations in the engine rpm. The pilot initiated a left turn towards the departure runway. As the airplane approached the runway, it stalled and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing was partially separated and the empennage was separated aft of the cabin. Fuel samples recovered from the airplane were free of debris. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. While review of a Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart revealed "Serious icing - glide power" for the reported temperature and dew point conditions, the investigation could not definitively identify carburetor ice as the reason for the power loss.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 266 hours in all; 191 in this make and model; 85 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 175 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 25, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,335 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 27, 2009; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FAT Fresno CA at 8:48 pm
- Destination: Monterey CA
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 29L, 7,205 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from FAT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N2539D 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.