# NTSB ANC21LA036: Piper PA-22-150, N7850D, Willow, AK, May 6, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 6, 2021, 12:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.716878, -150.08357 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7169&lon=-150.0836&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103056/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103056 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA036 ## Probable cause The pilots over application of the brakes while landing on a wet grass runway, which resulted in a loss of control and nose-over. ## 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, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing the tailwheel equipped airplane on a wet grass runway, he applied the brakes during the landing rollout and locked up the tires. Subsequently, the airplane slid off the crown of the runway onto dry ground and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, empennage, and right lift strut. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7850D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7850D), registered now, S/N 22-5500, 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: 22-5500 - Year built: 1957 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brandon L. Dickey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Skwentna, AK - Airport: AK69, Long Lake, runway 15, 1,800 × 40 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 22, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 220.4 total, 129.4 in this make and model, 201 as pilot in command, 23.1 in the last 90 days, 10.7 in the last 30 days, 2.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: PAWS, 18 nm away - METAR: PAWS 062056Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM CLR 11/M01 A2973 RMK AO2 SLP070 T01111006 58020 ## 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 20210506008119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210506008119A), May 6, 2021: Piper PA-22-150, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated upon landing to the south at the home airstrip, he applied brakes and the tires locked-up on wet grass. While working the brakes and rudder pedals… ## Other investigations on N7850D (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 UNK64X3911](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3911), Sep 11, 1964: Piper PA22 (N7850D), Chistochina, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103056. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12312054&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident pictures (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12311304&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Rel.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.