# NTSB CHI03LA131: Piper PA-22-160, N9601D, Pierre, SD, May 19, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 2003, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Pierre, SD
- Coordinates: 44.382778, -100.285835
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3828&lon=-100.2858&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA- Rapid City FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA131

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall.  A contributing factor was the collapse of the main landing gear.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane impacted terrain while landing at an off airport landing area.  The pilot reported the airplane abruptly lost airspeed and impacted terrain, the main landing gear subsequently collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop.  The weather reporting station at the departure airport reported the winds at 1353 as 340 degrees at 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

On May 19, 2003, at 1400 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N9601D, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during landing approach to an off airport landing area near Pierre, South Dakota.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan.  The pilot and passenger were uninjured.  The flight departed from Pierre Regional Airport (PIR), Pierre, South Dakota, at 1345 central daylight time.

The pilot reported his airspeed abruptly dropped while on approach about eight to ten feet above ground level.  The pilot stated the main landing gear collapsed upon impact with terrain and the airplane subsequently slid 40 to 60 feet.  The pilot noted there were no holes in the landing surface.

The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions with respect to the airplane or its systems.

The weather reporting station at the departure airport reported the winds at 1353 as 340 degrees at 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9601D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9601D), registered now, S/N 22-6510, 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: 22-6510
- Engines: Lycoming O320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PIR, Pierre, SD
- Destination: PIR
- Airport: PIR, Pierre Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 3, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,072 total, 372 in this make and model, 1,072 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observed at: PIR

## 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 20030519009769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030519009769A), May 19, 2003: Piper PA22160, Pierre, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot with one passenger was attempting a northerly landing in a field near the Pierre, south dakota (pir) v.o.r. they planned to land and hunt…

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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