# NTSB CHI96LA299: Piper PA-22, N2309A, Portland, IN, August 16, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1996, 21:00 local (Aug 16, 1996, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Portland, IN
- Coordinates: 40.429832, -84.980697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4298&lon=-84.9807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA299

## Probable cause

the aircraft ground looped when the pilot lost control of the aircraft during landing.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he flew a normal approach to touchdown.  He reported that the aircraft started to ground loop when the tail wheel contacted the runway.  The aircraft veered to the right and went off the runway.  The left main gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground.

## Factual narrative

On August 15, 1996, at 2100 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22, N2309A, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control of the aircraft during landing.  The private pilot and two passengers reported no injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Belvidere Airport, Belvidere, Illinois, en route to Portland, Indiana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that he flew a normal approach to touchdown.  He reported that the aircraft started to ground loop when the tail wheel contacted the runway.  The aircraft veered to the right and went off the runway.  The left main gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2309A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2309A), registered now, S/N 22-698 (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: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-698
- Airframe hours: 3140
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael J. Behrend
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1995, 25 hours before
- Departed: C77, BELVIDERE, IL
- Destination: PLD
- Airport: PLD, Portland Municipal, runway 9, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 55 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 19960815046459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960815046459A), Aug 15, 1996: Piper PA22135, Portland, IN, No damage. (-23) Pilot states he made a wheel landing on hard surface runway with a light right quartering head wind. When the tailwheel had come into contact with…

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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