# NTSB BFO87LA016: Piper PA-22-150, N7720D, Pungo, VA, January 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1987, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Pungo, VA
- Coordinates: 36.609157, -76.020103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6092&lon=-76.0201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA016

## 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
  - aircraft handling - attempted, dual student
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, dual student (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - inoperative (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT MADE 3 FULL STOP LANDINGS ALONE BEFORE THE INSTRUCTOR BOARDED THE ACFT. ANOTHER FULL STOP LANDING WAS MADE AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE INSTR NOTICED THAT THE LAST HALF OF THE GRASS RWY WAS WETTER THAN THE FIRST HALF. THE INSTR ELECTED TO TAKEOFF & LAND IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION; TO THE EAST. ON THE FIRST LANDING TO THE EAST, FULL FLAPS WERE USED AND THE APCH SPEED WAS 80 KTS. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HALF WAY DOWN THE RWY. ABOUT 1700 FT OF RWY REMAINED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ACCORDING TO THE INSTR, THE ACFT SLOWED DOWN IN A NORMAL MANNER UNTIL SOON AFTERWARDS THE STU STATED HE HAD LOST BRAKES. THE INSTR ATTEMPTED TO GROUND LOOP THE ACFT. HOWEVER, WHEN HE TRIED, THE ACFT SKIDDED INSTEAD OF TURNING AND WENT OFF THE RWY INTO A RAVINE AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7720D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7720D), registered now, S/N 22-5394, built 1957 (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: 22-5394
- Airframe hours: 3457
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene O. Lejeune
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1986, 50 hours before
- Airport: VA96, Pungo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 12,611 total, 200 in this make and model, 12,411 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF

## 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 19870121079819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870121079819A), Jan 21, 1987: Piper STCPA22, Pungo, VA, Substantial damage. Reported brakes failed on landing rollout. Tried to ground loop. Skidded off runway into a ravine. Nosed over.

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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