# NTSB ATL01LA066: Piper PA-22-150, N6955D, Pomaria, SC, June 6, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 6, 2001, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Pomaria, SC - Coordinates: 34.267706, -81.421775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2677&lon=-81.4218&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 21, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 52438 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52438/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA066 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper operation of the flight controls while attempting a takeoff from an unimproved surface. A factor was rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch (cause) - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis After making an emergency landing in a grass field to get fuel, the pilot attempted to take-off. During the take-off roll the airplane hit a ditch and broke the nose wheel. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 2001, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N6955D, collided with the ground during an attempted takeoff from a field near Pomaria, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed the open field in Pomaria, South Carolina, at 1129. The pilot reported that one hour and twenty minutes into the flight he attempted to switch fuel tanks from the right tank to the left tank. The pilot could not get the fuel selector into the proper position for the left tank so he switched it back to the right. He then found a grass field and landed the airplane. After landing, the pilot found a man who lived near by, to get him some auto fuel. The airplane had an auto fuel supplemental type certificate (STC). After refueling the airplane, the pilot did a pre-flight inspection, walked around the field and attempted to take-off. On take-off roll the airplane hit a ditch. When the airplane hit the ditch, the nose wheel broke off and the airplane nosed forward to the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures. According to takeoff data for the PA-22-150, the ground run to clear a 50-foot obstacle is 685 feet. The pilot reported that the on ground collision occurred as the airplane approached 1000 feet of ground run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6955D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6955D), registered now, S/N 22-4884, 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: 22-4884 - Airframe hours: 2445 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James P. Fletcher - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2001, 35 hours before - Departed: POMARIA, SC - Destination: 27J, Union County, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 4, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 118 in this make and model, 2,934 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 21 nm away ## 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 20010606015079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010606015079A), Jun 6, 2001: Piper PA22150, Pomaria, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft collided with berm on take off roll from a cow pasture. Aircraft was forced to land in cow pasture after pilot was unable to switch an d obtain… ## Other investigations on N6955D (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 MIA97LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA041), Dec 10, 1996: Piper PA-22-150 (N6955D), Pensacola, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground swerve and subsequent collapse of the nose gear. The crosswind was a related factor. 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.