# NTSB ANC00LA122: Piper PA-22, N8DG, Dillingham, AK, September 13, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2000, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Dillingham, AK
- Coordinates: 58.82048, -157.860641 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8205&lon=-157.8606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA122

## Probable cause

A malfunctioning main landing gear brake, which precipitated a ground-loop.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - malfunction (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve (cause)

## Analysis

The private pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel airstrip.  Shortly after touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the left of centerline.  The pilot said he applied brakes and corrective action, however, the left brake locked-up and the airplane subsequently ground-looped.

## Factual narrative

On September 13, 2000, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Piper PA-22, N8DG, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip, about 4 miles west of Dillingham, Alaska, at 59 degrees, 3 minutes north latitude, 158 degrees, 34 minutes west longitude.  The airplane is owned and operated by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The private pilot, and the one passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The flight originated from the same airstrip.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on September 13, 2000, the pilot reported that the airplane touched down in a three-point attitude on the eastbound gravel runway.  He stated that shortly after touchdown the airplane began to drift to the left of centerline.  The pilot applied brakes and corrective action, however, the airplane's left brake locked-up, and the airplane subsequently ground-looped.

The pilot reported that during the airplane's recovery, the left brake was still engaged, and the wheel assembly did not rotate.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift-strut, right wing, and elevator.

At 1354, Dillingham winds were from 10 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8DG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8DG), registered now, S/N 22-7308, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7308
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Manual Brito
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Shannon'S Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 460 total, 371 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLG, 3 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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