# NTSB ATL98LA114: Piper PA-22-150, N9721D, Paris, TN, August 15, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1998, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Paris, TN
- Coordinates: 36.300273, -88.299331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3003&lon=-88.2993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA114

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare that resulted in an overload failure of the left main landing gear.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot established an approach for runway 27. According to the pilot, 'it seemed that I was too high, so I dropped the flaps. My descent was uncontrolled and I hit the strip very hard'. The nose gear and the left main landing gear collapsed after the airplane touched down about 400 feet from the approach end of the sod runway. There were no known mechanical problems with the airplane

## Factual narrative

On August 15,1998, at 1025 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N9721D, collided with the ground and collapsed the landing gear, at a private airstrip near Paris, Tennessee. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Weather data from the nearest reporting facility revealed that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot received minor injuries. Examination of the airplane at the accident site disclosed that the airframe had sustained substantial damage. According to the pilot, the flight departed Camden, Tennessee, at 1000.

The pilot stated that he had conducted a visual over flight of the airport to determine the direction of the landing runway and general airstrip condition. The pilot established an approach for runway 27. According to the pilot, "it seemed that I was too high, so I dropped the flaps. My descent was uncontrolled and I hit the strip very hard". The nose gear and the left main landing gear collapsed after the airplane touched down about 400 feet from the approach end of the sod runway.

The pilot stated that there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9721D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9721D-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 22-6638, built 1959 (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: 226638
- Airframe hours: 2586
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence G. Atkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1998, 6 hours before
- Departed: 0M4, CAMDEN, TN
- Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 9, 3,000 × 500 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 246 total, 237 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLK, 50 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 19980815021049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980815021049A), Aug 15, 1998: Piper PA22150, Paris, TN, Substantial damage. Acft landed hard, and the landing gear collapsed. (-23) hard landing - nose gear collapsed.

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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