Following certification on 20 December 1977, Piper introduced for 1978 a completely new two-seat trainer/utility aircraft which it designated Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk. A cantilever low-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear, a T-tail, and side-by-side enclosed accommodation, it was powered by an Avco Lycoming O-235-L2C engine. Improvements introduced as standard in 1982 resulted in redesignation as the PA-38-112 Tomahawk II, but because of economic conditions production was suspended at the end of 1982, at which time 2,497 had been built. Piper hoped that it would be possible to resume production during 1984. This was not the case as the Tomahawk was one of the types most affected by the product liability laws and was already struggling to find a market.