# NTSB CEN11CA060: Piper PA-22-160, N3029Z, Watertown, SD, November 8, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 8, 2010, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, SD
- Coordinates: 44.972499, -96.994445 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9725&lon=-96.9944&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-RAP-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77756/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77756
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA060

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent and premature use of the brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he circled the farm field to check the condition of the landing area prior to landing. During the landing roll, he inadvertently stepped on the brakes prior to the tailwheel touching down and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported he circled the farm field to check the condition of the landing area prior to landing to the northeast. He reported that he inadvertently stepped on the brakes during the landing roll prior to the tailwheel touching down. The airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3029Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3029Z), registered now, S/N 22-6983, built 1959 (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 O-320-B2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-b2b) (registry code 42138, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6983
- Airframe hours: 1976
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Super 20 LLC
- Registered owner: Super 20 LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 2009, 74 hours before
- Departed: LYV, Laverne, SD
- Destination: Watertown, SD
- Airport: runway 04, 1,800 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 45 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observed at: ATW, 7 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 20101108050089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101108050089A), Nov 8, 2010: Piper PA-22-160, Watertown, SD, Substantial damage. 11/08/2010, The pilot departed from luverne, MN(lyv) at approximately 1330 local time and flew VFR to his parents private field located approximately 7 miles…

## Other investigations on N3029Z (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 ATL06CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA011), Oct 29, 2005: Piper PA-22-160 (N3029Z), Bennettsville, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The malfunction of the wheel brake assembly due to low fluid level that resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77756. 554 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 407 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Codington County Sheriff's Office Report (item 2, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Codington%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Report-Redacted.PDF

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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