# NTSB CHI04CA228: Piper PA-22-150, N4303A, Elkhart, IN, August 15, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2004, 15:23 local (20:23 UTC)
- Place: Elkhart, IN
- Coordinates: 41.719444, -86.001663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7194&lon=-86.0017&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA228

## Probable cause

The failure of the seat during landing roll and the subsequent pilot's airplane handling not being possible.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - fuselage,seat - failure (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The tailwheel airplane sustained substantial damage when the airplane ground looped during a landing on runway.  The pilot's accident report stated, "Landed and during rollout [pilot in command] seat fell backwards.  Pilot was unable to control rollout and airplane ground looped."

## Factual narrative

On August 15, 2004, about 1523 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N4303A, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the airplane ground looped during a landing on runway 27 at Elkhart Municipal Airport (EKM), near Elkhart, Indiana.  The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  No flight plan was on file.  The pilot and passenger reported no injuries.  The flight originated from a private airstrip near Elkhart, Indiana and was landing at EKM at the time of the accident.

The pilot's accident report stated:

Set up for a [right] downwind to [runway] 27 [at] Elkhart.  Landed

and during rollout [pilot in command] seat fell backwards.  Pilot

was unable to control rollout and airplane ground looped.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4303A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4303A), registered now, S/N 22-3653 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3653
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Craig David Nelund
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Elkhart, IN
- Destination: EKM, Elkhart, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: EKM

## 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 20040815028009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040815028009A), Aug 15, 2004: Piper PA22150, Elkhart, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing roll pilots seat detached from front mount, seat fell back pilot was unable to control aircraft with rudder pedals. Aircraft ground looped.

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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