# NTSB CEN11CA236: Piper PA-22-150, N2816Z, South St. Paul, MN, March 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 16, 2011, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: South St. Paul, MN - Coordinates: 44.857223, -93.032775 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8572&lon=-93.0328&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA- Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78577/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78577 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA236 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing a soft-field takeoff procedure. He stated that he started the takeoff roll with full engine power, full up elevator, and one notch of wing flaps. The airplane initially accelerated down the center of the runway, but as the airplane began to pitch upward it turned to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder, but the airplane continued toward the left side of the runway. He stated that in a further attempt to regain control of the airplane he lowered the nose and reduced power. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck the precision approach path indicator lights, and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage including deformation of the wing struts and crushing of the wing leading edges. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was practicing a soft-field takeoff procedure. He stated that he started the takeoff roll with full engine power, full up elevator, and one notch of wing flaps. The airplane initially accelerated down the center of the runway, but as the airplane began to pitch upward it turned to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder but the airplane continued toward the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that in a further attempt to regain control of the airplane, he lowered the nose and reduced power. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights, and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage including deformation of the wing struts and crushing of the wing leading edges. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2816Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2816Z-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N 22-6818, 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: 22-6818 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SGS, South St. Paul, MN - Destination: SGS, South St. Paul, MN - Airport: SGS, South St Paul Municipal Airpor, runway 16, 4,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 87 total, 87 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: SGS ## 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 20110316003799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110316003799A), Mar 16, 2011: Piper PA-22-150, South Saint Pau, MN, Substantial damage. Student pilot was practicing soft-field takeoffs. The pilot stated that on the third take-off the aircraft veered left of centerline shortly after the wheels… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78577. 971 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 971 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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. --- 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.