# NTSB CEN11LA642: Piper PA16, N5383H, Muskegan, MI, September 11, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 2011, 10:27 local (14:27 UTC) - Place: Muskegan, MI - Coordinates: 43.167778, -86.235557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1678&lon=-86.2356&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81788 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA642 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81788/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81788 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA642 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll and the flight instructor's inability to apply remedial action due to the opposite corrective control inputs by the pilot. ## 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-16, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-16, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to take off on an instructional flight when the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered and ground looped toward the right before it nosed over. The pilot stated that he did not apply left rudder soon enough to avoid the loss of directional control. The flight instructor stated that he attempted to apply corrective control input, but the pilot was applying opposite control input and did not reduce engine power as he was instructed. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 2011, about 1027 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-16, N5383H, veered off runway 14 and ground looped during takeoff at Muskegon County Airport (MKG) Muskegon, Michigan. The private pilot and the flight instructor were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for Grand Haven Memorial Airpark, (3GM) Grand Haven, Michigan. The pilot was receiving flight instruction toward a tail wheel endorsement. During the initial 120 feet of the takeoff roll on runway 14 (6,100 by 150 feet, asphalt) the pilot made both slight left and right rudder control inputs. Upon reaching about 240 feet into the takeoff roll, the airplane swerved to the right and ground looped. The left wing and left elevator struck the ground. The pilot stated that left rudder was not applied soon enough to prevent the ground loop. The flight instructor stated that about 300-400 feet down the runway, the airplane veered toward the right edge of the runway lifting the left wing. The flight instructor stated the he attempted to apply corrective control input but felt resistance from the pilot who was applying opposite control input. He also stated that the pilot was told to reduce engine power but did not do so. The left wing and left rudder struck the ground and the airplane nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5383H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5383H-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 16-190 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA16 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16-190 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MKG, Muskegan, MI - Destination: 3GM, Grand Haven, MI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MKG, Muskegon County Airport, runway 14, 6,100 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 0 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 52; injuries: none; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 2,498 total, 2,442 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft broken - Temperature: 149 °F - Observed at: MKG ## 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 20110911021359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110911021359A), Sep 11, 2011: Piper PA-16, Muskegon, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft with a private pilot and flight instructor giving instruction on tailwheel airplanes lost control on takeoff and impacted the ground. The left wing… ## Other investigations on N5383H (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 NYC73DNE25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DNE25), Mar 9, 1973: Piper PA-16 (N5383H), Turner Falls, MA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81788. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 933 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-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.