# NTSB ANC14LA056: Piper PA-22, N8883C, Dillingham, AK, July 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 2014, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Dillingham, AK - Coordinates: 58.819431, -157.8609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8194&lon=-157.8609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 14, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; ANC FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89774 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89774/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89774 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14LA056 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing due to his decision to attempt a landing with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a ground loop and impact with the runway surface. ## 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, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after the airplane entered the right downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 19, he received the airport wind information, which indicated wind from 290 degrees at 8 knots gusting to 12 knots; this resulted in a quartering tailwind for the landing. During the landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane started to veer left and then ground looped, which resulted in the separation of the right main landing gear and impact with the runway surface. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2014, at 1545 Alaska daylight time, a tail wheel-equipped Piper PA-22, N8883C, experienced a ground loop during landing roll on runway 19 at the Dillingham Municipal Airport (DLG), Dillingham, Alaska. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot and two passengers were uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from Ekuk, Alaska, at 1500 and was destined to DLG. The pilot stated in his National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report that he departed from Ekuk, Alaska, at 1500 to fly two passengers to DLG where they were going to take a commercial flight home. The pilot also stated that during the approach to DLG, the DLG Automatic Terminal Information Service reported wind from 220 degrees at 8 knots gusting 12 knots. The pilot flew the airplane over the runway and entered a right downwind for runway 19 (6,400 feet by 150 feet, grooved asphalt). After seeing the airport windsock, he asked for a wind check which reported wind 290 degrees at 8 knots gust 12 knots. The pilot said that he considered landing on runway 01 but at the time another airplane reported entering downwind for runway 19 so he continued his approach to land on runway 19 with a quartering tailwind. He said that during the landing and as the airplane touched down onto the runway, he reduced engine power to idle as the airplane tail lowered onto the runway. As the airplane slowed, he looked away from the runway for a second and when he looked up and outside, the airplane started to slowly veer to the left. He slid his foot up onto the rudder pedal to apply right brake, but because he was wearing flip flops, his foot slipped off. He thought about adding engine power to gain rudder control but decided that reapplication of right brake would be sufficient. The airplane started to speed up and was headed toward the right edge of the runway. As the airplane neared the runway, the pilot allowed the airplane to ground loop so as to remain on the runway. The right main landing gear sheared off and the airplane collapsed on its right wing, and the propeller struck the ground while the engine was operating at idle power. The airplane slid for about 15 feet before coming to a stop. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction/failure with the airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane weight at the time of the accident was 1,920 lbs. The airplane gross weight was 1,950 lbs. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge, the pilot stated that during the landing, the airplane was not slowing, and he "jammed" right rudder to avoid going off the departure end of the runway. He said that Piper PA-22 airplanesare "really short coupled," and the accident airplane was equipped with a larger set of tires. The braking performance with the larger set of tire is not as good on asphalt surfaces as on unimproved landing surfaces. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8883C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8883C), registered now, S/N 22-1465, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-1465 - Year built: 1953 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Travis Ball - Registered owner: Travis Ball - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 2013 - Departed: Ekuk, AK - Destination: DLG, Dillingham, AK - Airport: DLG, Dillingham Municipal Airport, runway 19, 6,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 605 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: DLG ## 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 20140728015199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140728015199A), Jul 28, 2014: Piper PA-22, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. On July 18, 2014, at 1545 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-22, N8883C, experienced a ground loop During landing roll on runway 19 at the Dillingham municipal… ## Other investigations on N8883C (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 ANC99LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA062), May 16, 1999: Piper PA-20 (N8883C), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate preflight by the pilot, who left the rudder gust lock installed, making directional control not possible. - [NTSB ANC76DAH42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH42), Jul 18, 1976: Piper PA-22 (N8883C), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89774. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416850&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416851&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.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.