# NTSB ANC10CA033: Piper PA-22-150, N7227D, Fairbanks, AK, April 29, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2010, 16:22 local (Apr 29, 2010, 00:22 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.815277, -147.856384 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8153&lon=-147.8564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 75890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75890/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75890 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo private pilot was taking off on a personal local flight. The pilot said that during the takeoff roll it felt like a gust was pushing him toward the left side of the runway. He corrected with right rudder, but was unable to correct for the right turn. The airplane then ground-looped to the right, striking the left wing on the ground. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The left wing was structurally damaged during the ground-loop. ## Factual narrative The solo private pilot was taking off on a personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said during the takeoff roll it felt like a gust was pushing him toward the left side of the runway. He said he corrected with right rudder, but was unable to correct for the right turn. He said the airplane ground-looped to the right, striking the left wing on the ground. He said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the left wing was structurally damaged during the ground-loop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7227D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7227D), registered now, S/N 22-5052, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - 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: 22-5052 - Airframe hours: 3817 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jed Williams - Registered owner: Greeley Dale A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2009 - Departed: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: FAI, Fairbanks International, runway 20L, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 33 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.47 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100428032539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100428032539A), Apr 28, 2010: Piper PA-22-150, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he was departing runway 20L at Fairbanks International Airport. He had begun his takeoff roll, the tail had lifted approximatley one foot… ## Other investigations on N7227D (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC12CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA030), Apr 15, 2012: Piper PA-22-150 (N7227D), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision not to initiate a go-around. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75890. 586 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 586 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.