# NTSB CEN17LA154: Piper PA-22-135, N2389A, Greensburg, IN, April 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 2017, 18:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Greensburg, IN - Coordinates: 39.327967, -85.519791 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-85.5198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; IND FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95006/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95006 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA154 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control during landing, which resulted in an impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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-22-135, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102206), [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. - [Approach: 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 private pilot was approaching the airport to land during a cross-country flight. During the landing approach, the pilot noticed that the airplane would bank to the left at low speeds but that the bank resolved at higher airspeeds. As the airplane slowed on final approach, it banked left and subsequently impacted a field left of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane flight control system confirmed flight control continuity, and no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2017, at 1835 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135 airplane, N2389A, impacted terrain during landing at Greensburg Municipal Airport (I34), Greensburg, Indiana. The private pilot received minor injuries and two passengers were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed from Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (SRB), Sparta, Tennessee, about 1535, and was destined to I34. The pilot stopped for fuel at Lagrange-Callaway Airport, (LGC) LaGrange, Georgia, and then departed at approximately 1330. The second fuel stop was SRB and then departed at approximately 1535 and was destined to I34 to refuel again. The pilot stated that I34 did not have automated weather reporting. He slowed the airplane to look at the wind sock during approach. As the airplane slowed, it "slowly" banked left. He said the airplane was responsive with increased speed. He performed a 360 degree turn and rolled out onto the runway for landing on runway 36. As the airplane slowed, it banked left and landed in a field left of the runway. The airplane impacted the ground in a field approximately 300 feet west of the centerline of the runway and skidded approximately 200 feet before coming to a stop. Post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration maintenance inspector from the Indianapolis Flight Standards District Office confirmed flight control continuity. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2389A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2389A-2020-01-24), registration cancelled 2020-01-24, S/N 22-754, built 1952 (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: 22-754 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 2970 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 2016 - Departed: SRB, Sparta, TN - Destination: I34, Greensburg, IN - Airport: I34, Greensburg Municipal Airport, runway 36, 3,433 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 18, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,048 total, 35 in this make and model, 690 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BAK, 18 nm away ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95006. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Correspondence - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Wreckage Diagram (item 3, .PDF, 386 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram-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.