# NTSB CHI94LA109: Piper PA-22-150, N3263Z, Benton, IL, March 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1994, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Benton, IL
- Coordinates: 38.000507, -88.910942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0005&lon=-88.9109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.  A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT ON RUNWAY 36, AND WAS BACK TAXIING TO EXIT THE RUNWAY.  HE SAID A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE RIGHT WING AND NOSED THE AIRPLANE OVER.

## Factual narrative

On March 15, 1994, at 1340 central standard time, a Piper PA-22-150 airplane, N3263Z, sustained substantial damage while back taxiing on runway 36 at Benton, Illinois.  The pilot reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Paducah Kentucky, about 1300 central standard time.

The pilot reported he had landed without incident on runway 36, and was back taxiing to exit the runway.  He said a gust of wind caught the right wing and nosed the airplane over.

The airport manager reported the winds at the time of the accident were from 300 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3263Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3263Z), registered now, S/N 227212, built 1960 (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 O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-7212
- Airframe hours: 2088
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Samuel E. Barwick
- Registered owner: Samuel E. Barwick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1993, 20 hours before
- Departed: PAH, PADUCAH, KY
- Airport: H96, Benton Municipal, runway 36, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 20 in this make and model, 322 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19940315005449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940315005449A), Mar 15, 1994: Piper PA22150, Benton, IL, Substantial damage. Blown over by wind gust back taxiing after landing. Too much wind for type.

## Other investigations on N3263Z (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 ANC26LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA013), Feb 1, 2026: Piper PA-22-150 (N3263Z), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB UNK64X0927](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0927), Mar 15, 1964: Piper PA22 (N3263Z), Tampa, IA, 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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