# NTSB CHI97LA279: Piper PA-22, N2743P, Castlewood, SD, September 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 1997, 19:00 local (Sep 1, 1997, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Castlewood, SD - Coordinates: 45.330642, -96.760108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3306&lon=-96.7601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10690 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10690/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA279 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis According to the pilot-in-command, the purpose of the flight was to fly over one of his passenger's farm. The pilot stated that the flight was, 'At a low level.' The pilot reported that as the airplane approached the accident location something fell off the dashboard and he leaned forward and down to identify what it was. The pilot stated that, 'As I leaned down, I apparently forced the yoke forward, lowering the attitude.' The pilot reported that when he looked up, 'it was too late, the trees were right in front of me. I gave back pressure on the elevator, but again too late and struck the trees.' The pilot stated that the aircraft still was able to climb and that there were tree branches hanging on the wing. The pilot reported that he noticed that the elevator had limited deflection and decided to make a precautionary landing in a nearby field. Post accident investigation showed substantial damage to the right wing spar, elevator, and vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 1997, at 1900 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22, N2743P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage after it collided with trees while maneuvering near Castlewood, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The local flight departed a private airstrip near Castlewood, South Dakota at 1845. According to the pilot-in-command's written statement, the purpose of the flight was to fly over one of his passenger's farm. The pilot stated that the flight was, "At a low level." The pilot reported that as the airplane was nearing the accident location something fell off the dashboard and he leaned forward and down to identify what it was. The pilot stated that, "As I leaned down, I apparently forced the yoke forward, lowering the attitude." The pilot reported that when he looked up, "it was too late, the trees were right in front of me. I gave back pressure on the elevator, but again too late and struck the trees." The pilot stated that the aircraft still was able to climb and that there were tree branches hanging on the wing. The pilot reported that he noticed that the elevator had limited deflection and decided to make a precautionary landing in a nearby field. Post accident investigation showed substantial damage to the right wing spar, elevator, and vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2743P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2743P-1998-03-26), registration cancelled 1998-03-26, S/N 223050 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-3050 - Airframe hours: 2943 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: J & J Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: PVT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total, 650 in this make and model, 3,051 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 160° at 11 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ATY, 335 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 19970831024779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970831024779A), Aug 31, 1997: Piper PA22, Castlewood, SD, Substantial damage. Aircraft flying low over ground, pilot misjudged altitude and struck a tree. (.4)according to the pilot-in-command, the purpose of the flight was to fly over… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.