# NTSB CHI94LA238: Piper PA-22, N8512C, Harvard, IL, July 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1994, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Harvard, IL
- Coordinates: 42.419536, -88.610458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4195&lon=-88.6105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA238

## Probable cause

the pilot's excessive taxi speed.  A factor in the accident was the wet grass runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, taxi
- Nose over, taxi

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT LANDED ON THE WET GRASS AIRSTRIP, COMPLETED THE LANDING ROLL, AND BEGAN TO TAXI BACK TO THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. THE RUNWAY SLOPED DOWN SLIGHTLY, AND AS HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND RUDDER TO TURN THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME INVERTED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO PREACCIDENT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On July 15, 1994, at 1510 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22, N8512C, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during taxi on an private airstrip near Harvard, Illinois.  The pilot was not injured.  The personal flight originated in Big Foot, Wisconsin.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had landed on the wet grass airstrip, completed the landing roll, and began to taxi back to the runway at an estimated five to ten MPH for takeoff. The runway sloped down slightly, and as he applied the brakes and rudder to turn the airplane to the right, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane became inverted.

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunction or difficulties with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8512C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8512C-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 221223, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1223
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edwin D. Swart
- Registered owner: Edwin D. Swart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1993, 68 hours before
- Departed: WI05, BIG FOOT, WI
- Airport: NONE, Susan Dacy, runway 18, 2,000 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,162 total, 505 in this make and model, 1,107 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19940715027369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940715027369A), Jul 15, 1994: Piper PA22135, Harvard, IL, Substantial damage. Landed wet grass strip. Back taxied nose gear collapsed turning off. Nosed over. Indicates too fast. Side loading.

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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