# NTSB CHI91LA012: Piper PA-22-135, N2600A, Mason, MI, October 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1990, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Mason, MI
- Coordinates: 42.580818, -84.43972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5808&lon=-84.4397&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 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA012

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT TYPE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN WINDS GUSTING FROM 10 TO 20 KNOTS, WITH AN 80 DEGREE CROSSWIND COMPONENT. HE SAID THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THAT THE AIRPLANE WEATHER VANED INTO THE WIND, CAUSING THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2600A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2600A-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 22-882, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- 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: 882
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lofton, Charles W.
- Airport: 09G, Mason Jewett, runway 27, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 79 total, 2 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901014046349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901014046349A), Oct 14, 1990: Piper PA22135, Mason, MI, Substantial damage. Landed in gusty strong crosswind,lost control,weather vaned collapsed gear.

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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