# NTSB ANC21LA082: Piper PA-22-135, N3419A, Soldotna, AK, August 30, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2021, 12:47 local (20:47 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.48, -151.04 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4800&lon=-151.0400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 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): 103794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103794/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103794
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA082

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground-loop.

## 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-22-135, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102206), [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-22-135, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll-out she reached down to retract the flaps and the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to veer to the right. She attempted to correct with left rudder, but the airplane began to “fishtail”. She then applied brakes to correct for the veering movement to no avail. Subsequently, the airplane ground-looped to the left, exited the runway to the left, and the right wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevator. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3419A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3419A), registered now, S/N 22-1692, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (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: 22-1692
- Year built: 1953
- Airframe hours: 3323.8
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 2021
- Departed: BGQ, Big Lake, AK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: SXQ, Soldotna, runway 07S/25S, 2,300 × 60 ft, dirt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 4, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 102 total, 14 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: PASX
- METAR: PASX 302056Z AUTO 02003KT 10SM CLR 18/07 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP199 T01780067 56011

## 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 20210830015189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210830015189A), Aug 30, 2021: Piper PA-22-135, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot landed at Soldotna Airport in PA-22-135 with 2 passengers. On rollout, when reaching to retract flaps, aircraft veered right. In attempt to correct with…

## Other investigations on N3419A (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 CHI04LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA073), Feb 18, 2004: Piper PA-22-135 (N3419A), Memphis, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: Directional control not maintained by the flight instructor during the landing roll. The snow on the edge of the runway, and the wind gusts were factors.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103794. 1.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12709336&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident picture (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12709230&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.

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