# NTSB ATL92LA170: Piper PA-22-150, N7317D, Harrisburg, NC, September 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1992, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Harrisburg, NC
- Coordinates: 35.319149, -80.659843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3191&lon=-80.6598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8654
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8654/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA170

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGER'S INADVERTENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING USED TO CONDUCT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 6500 FEET, THE AIRPLANE YAWED LEFT. APPLICATION OF RIGHT RUDDER WAS NOT FULLY EFFECTIVE, & WHEN RELEASED THE AIRPLANE YAWED FURTHER LEFT. AILERON CONTROL WAS SUFFICIENT TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM & THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING FAILED TO REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE PASSENGER, WHO WAS CONDUCTING THE PHOTOGRAPHY, HAD INADVERTENTLY INTERFERED WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7317D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7317D-1994-07-25), registration cancelled 1994-07-25, S/N 225105 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5105
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley, Leroy III
- Registered owner: Stanley, Leroy III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 50 hours before
- Departed: W44, ASHBORO, NC
- Destination: 3A4, GREENSBORO, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 15 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 19920901037459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920901037459A), Sep 1, 1992: Piper PA22150, Harrisburg, NC, Substantial damage. Lost rudder control inflight. Nosed over on rollout during forced landing. No anomalies in fllight control system.

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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