# NTSB CHI08FA222: Piper PA-22, N3671A, Oshkosh, WI, July 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 2008, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Oshkosh, WI - Coordinates: 44.010688, -88.549827 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0107&lon=-88.5498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 68874 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08FA222 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68874/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68874 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA222 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while taking off in gusting winds, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102202), [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. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The aircraft took off with a strong left crosswind with the flight near maximum gross weight. About 60 feet in the air, the aircraft stalled, the left wing struck the ground on the right side of the runway, and the aircraft cartwheeled and slid to a stop. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the occupants received minor injuries. The pilot reported that gusts of wind caught the airplane. Inspection of the aircraft did not reveal any preimpact failure or malfunction of the aircraft or engine. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 30, 2008, about 1330 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22, N3671A, piloted by a Commercial rated pilot, sustained substantial damage when it crashed during takeoff from runway 36L at Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The flight was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident with winds gusting from a westerly direction. The airplane was departing from the annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin at the time of the accident. WITNESSES Witnesses observed what they described as a stall about 50 feet above the ground and the aircraft rolled and impacted the ground. One witness reported: "I was watching the aircraft take off from RWY 36 and at the point of takeoff the airplane crabbed into the wind and raised the nose unusually high and held that attitude until the plane stalled and nosed in. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a Commercial Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The certificate included endorsements for single engine and multiengine land. The pilot held a third class medical certificate issued on May 3, 2007, with limitations for corrective lenses. The pilot had approximately 5,000 hours total flight time, with 800 hours in make and model, and 30 hours in make and model in the last 30 days, and 2.5 hours in make and model in the last 24 hours. The pilot had a current Biennial Flight Review. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION N3671A was a high wing, propeller-driven, fixed landing gear, semi-monocoque design, four-seat airplane, Piper PA-22 Model, Serial number 22-1930. A 135 horsepower, four-cylinder, air cooled, horizontally opposed, carbureted, Lycoming O-290 engine was installed on the aircraft. The airplane was being operated in the Normal Category. The airplane and the engine had approximately 4400 hours total time. The last inspection of the airplane and engine was an annual inspection performed on July 11, 2008. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The pilot reported the weather as clear, visibility of 10 plus miles, winds from 280 at 18 knots, gusting to 18 knots, temperature of 84 degrees, and a density altitude of 918 feet. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane came to rest in the dirt on the right side of runway 36L about mid field. Inspection of the flight control system did not disclose any evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction. AIRPORT INFORMATION Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) was operating under special flight procedures that were effective from July 25 to August 3, 2008 during 2008 AirVenture, Oshkosh. TEST AND RESEARCH The pilot reported the maximum allowable gross weight of the aircraft as 1950 pounds, and the weight at time to the accident as 1900 pounds. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The pilot reported that he was cleared to take off rolling at 60 mph when a wind gust of over 20 mph from 270 or west direction picked up the airplane and blew it off the runway. He recovered the airplane and continued to climb. At about 60 feet above runway the pilot put the nose down to gain speed only to be hit by another wind gust. That was a down draft catching the left wing. He tried to recover by putting nose down with level wings only to stall, pancaking to the ground and striking nose gear first, then the main gear collapsed. The airplane skidded over 150 feet resting on the bottom of the fuselage. The passengers and pilot climbed out of airplane with minor cuts and bruises. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3671A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3671A-2009-07-24), registration cancelled 2009-07-24, S/N 22-1930, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22 (135) - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (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: 22-1930 - Airframe hours: 4379 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William L. Lawson Jr. - Registered owner: William L. Lawson Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2008 - Departed: KOSH, OSHKOSH, WI - Destination: C91, DOWAGIAC, MI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KOSH, Wittman Regional Airport, runway 36, 8,002 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 18 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: KOSH ## 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 20080730846159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080730846159A), Jul 30, 2008: Piper PA22135, Oshkosh, WI, Destroyed. (-23) Commercial rated pilot took off from long hard surfaced runway a). Into crosswinds that were gusting to 22 knots, b). On a hot day with air density a… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68874. 12.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 727 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Personnel Statement (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316419&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Personnel%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1. View From Front (item 4, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20View%20From%20Front-Master.PDF - Photo 2. View From Left Wingtip (item 5, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20View%20From%20Left%20Wingtip-Master.PDF - Photo 3. View From Rear (item 6, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315989&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20View%20From%20Rear-Master.PDF - Photo 4. View From Right Wingtip (item 7, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20View%20From%20Right%20Wingtip-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.