# NTSB CEN12LA146: Piper PA-22-135, N2677A, Sheridan, AR, January 31, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 2012, 11:42 local (17:42 UTC) - Place: Sheridan, AR - Coordinates: 34.32389, -92.349998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3239&lon=-92.3500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82789 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82789/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82789 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA146 ## Probable cause The passenger’s interference with the flight controls during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal until the airplane was climbing through about 200 feet above the ground, at which time he observed that the passenger suddenly tensed up. The pilot said he was then unable to move the rudder pedals because the passenger was stepping on the passenger-side rudder controls. The airplane skewed to the left, descended, and impacted terrain on the left side of the runway. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity and revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The passenger reported this was his first flight ever in any aircraft. He also reported that he was not pressing on the rudder pedals. However, given the pilot’s experience in the accident airplane and the lack of evidence of a preimpact anomaly, it is likely that the passenger did inadvertently interfere with the rudder pedals. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 2012, at 1142 central standard time, a Piper Aircraft, Inc., PA-22-135 single engine airplane, N2677A, impacted terrain and obstructions during initial climb at Sheridan Municipal Airport (9M8), Sheridan, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by an individual as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot was seriously injured and the passenger suffered minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. At the time of the accident the flight was originating from 9M8 for a local flight. During climbout the nose of the airplane started to skid sharply to the left and the pilot lowered the nose to avoid stalling. The airplane descended and impacted terrain on the left side of the runway coming to rest upright in the edge of a tree line. The impact completely separated the engine and propeller from the fuselage and there was substantial damage to both wings, the forward fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that during the initial climb the passenger had suddenly tensed up and the pilot was unable to move the rudder pedals to correct the nose-left skidding because of interference from the passenger who was stepping on the passenger side rudder controls. The passenger reported this was his first flight ever in any aircraft and added that he was certain that his feet were clear and he was not pressing on the rudder pedals. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity and revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2677A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2677A-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N 22-935, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-935 - Airframe hours: 2529 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2011, 61 hours before - Departed: 9M8, Sheridan, AR - Destination: 9M8, Sheridan, AR - Airport: 9M8, Sheridan Municipal Airport, runway 19, 3,027 × 71 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 1994; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KPBF, 23 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 20120131001049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120131001049A), Jan 31, 2012: Piper PA-22-135, Sheridan, AR, Destroyed. On January 31, 2012, at approximately 1140 CDT, N2677A, a Piper PA-22-135 aircraft, operated by a private pilot at the Sheridan Grant county municipal airport,… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 2, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82789. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 was not received (item 1, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20was%20not%20received-Master.PDF - Record of findings from FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384314&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20findings%20from%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Record of conversations with passenger (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384315&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversations%20with%20passenger-Master.PDF - Maps (item 4, .PDF, 281 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362688&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF - Photo (item 5, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF - Weather Summary (item 6, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-Master.PDF - Results of Airport Fuel Facility Testing (item 7, .PDF, 2 photos, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Results%20of%20Airport%20Fuel%20Facility%20Testing-Master.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.