# NTSB ATL97LA144: Piper PA-22-160, N3402Z, Belleview, FL, September 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 1997, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Belleview, FL - Location: 29.0011° N, 82.1006° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KIEVER (8FL2), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0011&lon=-82.1006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3910 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3910/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA144 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, and his delay in initiating a go-around, which resulted in a hard touchdown, loss of directional control, and collision with objects (fence and trees). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, go-around (vfr) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing ## Analysis The pilot stated 'at about 30 feet above ground level' he was long for landing and attempted a go-around. The airplane continued to descend, and it bounced on the runway. The pilot also stated that when he pushed the yoke forward, to gain airspeed for the go-around, 'the airplane collided with the runway and went off the runway to the left where the airplane contacted a fence and some trees.' A review of current weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that, the prevailing wind was from 240 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 1997, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N3402Z, veered off the left side of runway 18, collided with a tree, and nosed over at Norton Airstrip in Belleview, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. No flight plan was filed for the local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed the time of the accident. The private pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Ocala, Florida, at 1500. The pilot stated "at about 30 feet above ground level" he was long for landing and attempted a go-around. The airplane continued to descend and bounced on the runway. The pilot also stated when he pushed the yoke forward, to gain airspeed for the go-around, "the airplane collided with the runway and went off the runway to the left where the airplane contacted a fence and some trees". During the wreckage examination, there was no disclosure of any mechanical problems with the airplane. A review of current weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that, the prevailing winds were 240 degrees at 10 knots with wind gusting to 15 knots. Runway 18 was the active runway at Norton Airstrip when the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3402Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3402Z-2003-02-18), registration cancelled 2003-02-18, S/N 22-7313, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-7313 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 AIA 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allen D O'Cull - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1996 - Departed: OCF, OCALA, FL - Destination: 8FL2 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 8FL2, Norton Airstrip, runway 18, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 106 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OCF, 10 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 19970928037659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970928037659A), Sep 28, 1997: Piper PA22160, Belleview, FL, Substantial damage. Narrative: on September 28, 1997, at the Norton airstrip (private grass strip) in summerfield, FL, Mr. Alan o'cull, pilot and owner of a Piper, LPA-22-160 lost… ## Other investigations on N3402Z (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 CHI82DA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA119), Apr 11, 1982: Piper PA-22-160 (N3402Z), Nova, OH, 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. --- 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.