# NTSB CHI00LA297: Piper PA-22/20, N3383A, Marion, IN, September 1, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 2000, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Marion, IN
- Coordinates: 40.600769, -85.630493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6008&lon=-85.6305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA297

## Probable cause

the pilot failed to maintain directional control during landing.  A factor was the dust devil.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing
  - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported, "Upon landing, a severe rotary thermal (dust devil?) impacted plane on right rear tail surfaces and propelled aircraft sideways in turf by skidding to the right." Structural damage resulted to the wing and landing gear.  The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 2000, at 1830 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22/20, N3383A, was substantially damaged when it skidded sideways during landing on runway 4 (5,200 X 100 feet) at the Marion Municipal Airport (MZZ), Marion, Indiana. The private pilot was not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight had departed Drake Field Airport, near Fayetteville, Arkansas, at 1000, en route to MZZ.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported, "Upon landing, a severe rotary thermal (dust devil?) impacted plane on right rear tail surfaces and propelled aircraft sideways in turf by skidding to the right."  Structural damaged resulted to the wing and landing gear.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3383A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3383A), registered now, S/N 22-1646, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22/20
- 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: 22-1646
- Airframe hours: 2967
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank P. Sperandeo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2000, 89 hours before
- Departed: FYV, FAYETTEVILLE, AR
- Destination: MZZ
- Airport: MZZ, Marion Municipal, runway 4, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,064 total, 820 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 201 °F, dew point 149 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 20000901037219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000901037219A), Sep 1, 2000: Piper PA22135, Marion, IN, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated that upon landing on runway 14, a severe roturg thermal, possibly a dust devil, impacted the aircraft on the right rear tail surfaces…

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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