# NTSB ATL94LA109: Piper PA-22\20, N1665A, Kill Devil Hill, NC, May 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1994, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Kill Devil Hill, NC
- Coordinates: 36.009372, -75.660728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0094&lon=-75.6607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION DURING A LANDING ROLLOUT.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE DURING A LANDING ROLLOUT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE ENCOUNDERED A CROSSWIND AFTER TOUCHDOWN WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO WEATHER VANE. NO AIRCRAFT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 1994, at 1415 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22\20, N1665A, ground looped on runway 02 at the First Flight Airport, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight departed Chesapeake, Virginia, at 1345 hours.

Upon arriving at Kill Devil Hills, the pilot noticed that the prevailing winds crossed the runway at a 90 degree angle; He established a traffic pattern for runway 02. According to the pilot, during the initial rollout the tailwheel was held off the runway. When he lowered the tailwheel, he lost control of the airplane as the nose of the airplane turned into the crosswind (see attached pilot/operator aircraft accident report). The prevailing winds were out of the southeast at fifteen knots. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1665A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1665A-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 22-422, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22\20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (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: PA22-422
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lejeune, Ovey E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1993, 80 hours before
- Departed: PVG, CHESAPEAKE, VA
- Airport: FFA, First Flight, runway 20, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,030 total, 873 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MQI, 20 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 19940529012719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940529012719A), May 29, 1994: Piper PA22, Kill Devil Hill, NC, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped landing in a crosswind.

## Other investigations on N1665A (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 BFO88LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA071), Aug 4, 1988: Piper PA-22-150 (N1665A), Harrisonburg, VA, substantial damage

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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