# NTSB ATL92LA176: Piper PA-22T, N8098C, Headland, AL, September 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1992, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Headland, AL
- Coordinates: 31.35077, -85.340744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3508&lon=-85.3407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8660/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA176

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EVALUATION OF WIND CONDITIONS AND SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A GUSTING TAIL WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport/facilities - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER, ALSO A PILOT, WERE CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS TO RUNWAY 27. ON THE THIRD LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST AND THE AIRPLANE STARTED A LEFT DRIFT OFF THE RUNWAY; THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE DRIFT, BUT HE ALSO FAILED. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK. THE PREVAILING WIND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT WAS OUT OF THE EAST  GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8098C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8098C-1995-07-25), registration cancelled 1995-07-25, S/N 222244 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2244
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D-2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wilkes,Jay W.
- Registered owner: Wilkes,Jay W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: 0J6
- Destination: 0J6
- Airport: 0J6, Headland Municipal, runway 27, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 204 total, 1 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 30 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 19920905035479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920905035479A), Sep 5, 1992: Piper PA22135, Headland, AL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing tail dragger downwind. Ground looped. Blamed wind shift. No check out indicated.

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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