# NTSB CHI98LA093: Piper PA-22-160, N1958P, Point Lookout, MO, February 9, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1998, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Point Lookout, MO
- Location: 36.6259° N, 93.2289° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at M GRAHAM CLARK DOWNTOWN (PLK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6259&lon=-93.2289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA093

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing rollout.

## 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
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot landed the airplane on runway 11.  Directional control was lost and the airplane ground looped.  The pilot stated that he had experienced a tendency for the airplane to track to the left on rollout in the past and had mentioned to a mechanic.  The wind recorded at the airport 10 minutes after the accident were 120 degrees at 9 knots. An examination of the airplane after the accident failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies which might have contributed to a left turning tendency.

## Factual narrative

On February 9, 1998, at 1130 central standard time, a Piper PA-22-160, N1958P, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped while landing on runway 11 (3,539' x 100' dry asphalt) at M. Graham Clark Airport, near Point Lookout, Missouri.  The pilot said that the airplane started to turn left and he corrected to the right, but the airplane ground looped.  The pilot and three passengers reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Jacksonville, Texas, at 0905.

The pilot indicated in his written statement that he had previously experienced the airplane turning to the left on rollout and had reported it to a mechanic.  After the accident an examination of the airplane failed to reveal any anomalies which might contribute to a left turning tendency.

Ten minutes after the accident a weather observation at the airport indicated a wind of 120 degrees at 9 knots.  The airplane was landed on runway 11.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1958P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1958P), registered now, S/N 22-6008, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-160
- 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: 22-6008
- Airframe hours: 2999
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert B Hellams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1997, 40 hours before
- Departed: JSO, JACKSONVILLE, TX
- Destination: PLK
- Airport: PLK, M Graham Clark, runway 11, 3,739 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22,651 total, 55 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLK

## 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 19980209008059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980209008059A), Feb 9, 1998: Piper PA22160, Point Lookout, MO, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Ground looped. Tail wheel type landing gear. (.4)the pilot landed the airplane on runway 11. Directional control was lost and…

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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