# NTSB CHI92LA177: Piper PA-22, N9534D, Breezy Point, MN, June 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1992, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Breezy Point, MN
- Coordinates: 46.600982, -94.320663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6010&lon=-94.3207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA177

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY DUE TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - corroded (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY REVEALED A BROKEN INTERNAL SPRING CLIP WITH A FATIGUE INDUCED FRACTURE EMANATING FROM SEVERAL SURFACE CORROSION PITS. PRIOR TO DISASSEMBLY THE TAIL WHEEL UNIT WOULD TURN FREELY TO THE RIGHT BUT NOT TO THE LEFT. ONCE THE UNIT WAS DISASSEMBLED AND THE BROKEN SPRING CLIP REMOVED, THE ASSEMBLED UNIT TURNED FREELY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9534D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9534D), registered now, S/N 22-6450 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- 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: 22-6450
- Airframe hours: 2425
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fichuk, Peter & Dan
- Registered owner: Fichuk, Peter & Dan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1992, 57 hours before
- Departed: 54Y, RUSH CITY, MN
- Airport: D16, Breezy Point, runway 18, 2,300 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 548 total, 243 in this make and model, 464 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRD, 18 nm away

## 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 19920613020319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920613020319A), Jun 13, 1992: Piper PA22160, Pequot Lakes, MN, Substantial damage. Veered right on landing roll. Unable correct. Ran off runway. Ground looped to stop. Tail wheel spring broken.

## Other investigations on N9534D (2)

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.

- [NTSB WPR26LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA290), Aug 3, 2026: Piper PA22 (N9534D), Goldendale, WA, substantial damage, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB FTW78DRG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRG16), Nov 23, 1977: Piper PA-22 (N9534D), Laredo, TX, substantial damage

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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