# NTSB CEN11CA435: Piper PA-16, N5985H, Huntington, IN, June 30, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 30, 2011, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Huntington, IN
- Coordinates: 40.852779, -85.456947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8528&lon=-85.4569&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA South Bend FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA435
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA435

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of brakes which resulted in a nose over.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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-16, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he applied the brakes as the tailwheel-equipped airplane slowed down during the landing roll, but it nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunctions or failure of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the tailwheel-equipped airplane was slowing down during the landing roll when he applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5985H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5985H-2011-09-28), registration cancelled 2011-09-28, S/N 16-613, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16-613
- Airframe hours: 2960
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anderson Robert S
- Registered owner: Anderson Robert S
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 2010, 19 hours before
- Departed: VNW, Van Wert, OH
- Destination: HHG, Huntington, IN
- Airport: HHG, Huntington Municipal Airport, runway 27, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 1,350 total, 1,240 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg

## 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 20110630011709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110630011709A), Jun 30, 2011: Piper PA-16, Huntington, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he landed runway 27, made a normal approach and landing, (made three point landing). Applied brakes after landing to slow aircraft down (toe…

## Other investigations on N5985H (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 FTW75FRJ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75FRJ10), Nov 11, 1974: Piper PA-16 (N5985H), Fairview, OK, 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.

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