# NTSB CHI99LA017: Piper PA-22-20-150, N5908D, Mason, MI, November 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 1, 1998, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Mason, MI - Coordinates: 42.52079, -82.980567 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5208&lon=-82.9806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45182/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA017 ## Probable cause was the pilot not maintaining control of the airplane. A factor in this accident was the pilots lack of total experience in the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The pilot said the tail wheel-equipped airplane began yawing to the left as he brought the airplane onto its main landing gear during takeoff. He said he over corrected with right rudder and then left rudder. The pilot said a yaw oscillation followed and the airplane departed the runway's left edge. Shortly after departing the runway's edge, the airplane's right main gear tire dug into the ground. The airplane ground-looped to the right and came to a stop on its right wing tip and nose. The pilot said he had 19-hours total time in the airplane and about 255-hours in a tail wheel-equipped home built airplane that was similar to the accident airplane except with about half the horse power. ## Factual narrative On November 1, 1998, at 1200 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-22-20-150, N5908D, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a ground loop event that occurred while on the initial takeoff roll. The airplane was taking off on runway 09 (3,503' X 75' dry asphalt) at the Mason-Jewett Field, Mason, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight was departing Mason, Michigan, at 1200 est. The pilot said the airplane began yawing to the left as he brought it onto its main gear for takeoff. He said he over- corrected with right rudder and the airplane yawed rapidly to the right and then over-corrected to the left. According to the pilot, he caused the airplane to occillate about its yaw axis due to another over-correction. The airplane departed the runway's left edge into the grass and ground looped to the left. The pilot said "The right wheel dug into the soil on the left side of the runway and the airplane tipped up... ." The pilot said he may have applied too much right rudder as he brought the airplane onto its main landing gear. According to the pilot, he had 19-hours in the accident airplane. He said he had about 255-hours in a homebuilt tail wheel airplane that was about the same size as the accident airplane. He said the experimental airplane had a 70-HP engine on it. The accident airplane was equipped with a 150 horse power engine. The pilot said he had about 1-hour of dual instruction in N5908D before flying it as pilot-in-command. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5908D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5908D), registered now, S/N 22-4570, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-20-150 (PA-22-20-1) - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-4570 - Airframe hours: 2033 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles H. Downey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1998, 47 hours before - Departed: TEW - Destination: TEW - Airport: TEW, Mason-Jewett Airport, runway 9, 3,503 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 426 total, 19 in this make and model, 358 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TEW, 1 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 19981101031039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981101031039A), Nov 1, 1998: Piper PA22150, Mason, MI, Substantial damage. Loss directional control on takeoff from rwy 9, 10 knot crosswind, acft ground looped. (.19)on November 1, 1998, at 1200 eastern standard time (EST), a Piper… ## Other investigations on N5908D (1) 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 NYC92LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA070), Mar 1, 1992: Piper PA-22-150 (N5908D), Medina, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE STRONG WINDS. 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.