# NTSB CHI00LA106: Piper PA-22-160, N8943D, Saint Joseph, MO, April 7, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 2000, 14:18 local (19:18 UTC) - Place: Saint Joseph, MO - Coordinates: 39.729801, -94.759025 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7298&lon=-94.7590&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48899 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48899/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA106 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition. A factor to the accident was the high winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, taxi - from landing - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The accident airplane was damaged during a nose over while taxing at the Rosencrans Memorial Airport, Saint Joseph, Missouri. According to Air Traffic Control personnel at the airport, who witnessed the accident, as the airplane joined the taxiway the tail lifted up, and the airplane nosed-over. The pilot reported that, 'I used aileron deflections, turning into a quartering headwind and away from a quartering tailwind. When I came to my left turn from 090 to 360 onto taxiway Alpha, I reduced power somewhat, though not all the way. At the midpoint of the turn, when the wind was directly perpendicular to the left side of the fuselage, the tail began to rise. Soon the prop [propeller] began digging into the taxiway. According to a witness the plane went up on its nose, spun 90 degrees and fell over.' The pilot continued to report, 'I remember much training on use of ailerons during taxi, however I don't remember a lot of emphasis on the fact that higher power should be used to keep the tail down. Taildragger pilots seem to be a lot more familiar with that aspect. My power reduction for the 90 degree turn may have made it easier for the tail to rise.' Winds at the time of the accident were from 310 degrees magnetic at 40 knots gusting to 46 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2000, at 1418 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N8943D, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a nose-over while conducting taxi operations at the Rosecrans Memorial Airport, Saint Joseph, Missouri. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight departed Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 1125. According to Rosecrans Memorial Airport Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel, the pilot was cleared to land on runway 31 and was given a taxi clearance to the ramp. According to ATC personnel, who witnessed the accident, as the airplane taxied to join taxiway B the tail lifted-up, and the airplane nosed-over. The pilot reported that, "I used aileron deflections, turning into a quartering headwind and away from a quartering tailwind. When I came to my left turn from 090 to 360 onto taxiway Alpha, I reduced power somewhat, though not all the way. At the midpoint of the turn, when the wind was directly perpendicular to the left side of the fuselage, the tail began to rise. Soon the prop [propeller] began digging into the taxiway. According to a witness the plane went up on its nose, spun 90 degrees and fell over." The pilot continued to report, "I remember much training on use of ailerons during taxi, however I don't remember a lot of emphasis on the fact that higher power should be used to keep the tail down. Taildragger pilots seem to be a lot more familiar with that aspect. My power reduction for the 90 degree turn may have made it easier for the tail to rise." A special weather observation was taken, subsequent to the accident, and the wind was reported to be 310-degrees magnetic at 40 knots gusting to 46 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8943D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8943D-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 22-6101, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-6101 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugene Keith Seibel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1999, 160 hours before - Departed: UNK, TULSA, OK - Destination: STJ - Airport: STJ, Rosecrans Memorial ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,867 total, 1,650 in this make and model, 1,849 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 40 knots, gusting 46 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: STJ ## 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 20000407043199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000407043199A), Apr 7, 2000: Piper PA22160, St Joseph, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC stated that he landed on rwy 31 without difficulty. He cleared the runway, crossed another runway, and began taxiing eastbound toward his hangar.… ## Other investigations on N8943D (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 CHI96LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA161), May 19, 1996: Piper PA-22 (N8943D), Maryville, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area to taxi off the narrow runway in order to turn around. The proximity of the ditch was a related factor. 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.