# NTSB ANC12CA039: Piper PA-22-150, N7257D, Talkeetna, AK, May 14, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2012, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.526668, -150.883331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.5267&lon=-150.8833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 83657 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83657/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83657 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to adequately monitor the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 321 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor was conducting an airplane and local area familiarization flight with the commercial pilot. The commercial pilot was landing the airplane when he lost directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, which resulted in a ground loop. During the ground loop, the airplane’s left wing struck the ground, and the main landing gear collapsed. Neither pilot reported any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot, seated in the left seat, reported that he lost directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane while landing, resulting in a ground loop. The flight instructor, seated in the right seat, was providing an aircraft and local area familiarization flight. During the ground loop the airplane’s left wing struck the ground, and the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Neither pilot reported any preaccident mechanical issues with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7257D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7257D), registered now, S/N 22-5084, 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: 22-5084 - Airframe hours: 2300 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Alaska Floats and Ski Inc., doing business as Alaska Ski and Floats - Registered owner: Alaska Floats and Ski Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2012 - Departed: PATK, Talkeetna, AK - Destination: PATK, Talkeetna, AK - Airport: PATK, Talkeetna, runway 36, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 13, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 1,450 total, 10 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 419 total, 3 in this make and model, 406 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20120514010849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120514010849A), May 14, 2012: Piper PA-22-150, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Student was landing runway 36 at Talkeetna,Alaska (tka). Upon touch down, the aircraft drifted to the right. The student overcorrected, lost control of… ## Other investigations on N7257D (2) 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 GAA18CA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA324), Jun 4, 2018: Piper PA 22 (N7257D), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s improper landing flare and failure to maintain a proper descent rate during approach, which resulted in a hard landing. - [NTSB ANC06CA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA045), Apr 15, 2006: Piper PA-22-150 (N7257D), Birchwood, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing roll, which resulted in the loss of directional control by the student, a ground-loop, and collapse of the main landing gear. A… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83657. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Lee) (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Lee)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Schmalz) (item 2, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Schmalz)-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.