# NTSB CHI99LA114: Piper PA-31-350, N812TB, Waterloo, IA, March 24, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1999, 19:13 local (Mar 24, 1999, 01:13 UTC)
- Place: Waterloo, IA
- Coordinates: 42.489906, -92.350692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4899&lon=-92.3507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA114

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

## 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)

## Analysis

The pilot said he was conducting touch and go landings.  He said that on the second landing directional control was lost and the airplane exited the runway.  He said that he did not know of any mechanical problems with the airplane.  A postaccident examination failed to reveal any preaccident anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On March 23, 1999, at 1913 central standard time, a Piper PA-31-350, N812TB, operated by an airline transport pilot sustained substantial damage when it exited runway 30 (8,400' X 150' dry/asphalt), at Waterloo Municipal Airport, near Waterloo, Iowa.  The pilot reported no injuries.  He told authorities that he was conducting touch and go landings and the accident occurred on the second landing.  He said that when the nosewheel touched down the airplane veered to the left and exited the runway.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The local flight departed at 1845.

When asked to make a written statement by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the pilot said he needed time to think the events over.  In the written statement signed by the pilot, he indicated that directional control was lost when the nosewheel touched down.

During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that he did not know why he lost control of the airplane on touchdown.  He said that he did not know of any mechanical problem with the airplane.

An inspection of the airplane after the accident failed to reveal any pre-existing anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N812TB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N812TB), registered now, S/N 31-8152113, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8152113
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terry L Butz Creative, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1998, 24 hours before
- Departed: ALO
- Airport: ALO, Waterloo Municipal, runway 30, 8,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALO

## 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 19990323002619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990323002619A), Mar 23, 1999: Piper PA31350, Waterloo, IA, Substantial damage. (-23)The pilot stated he had completed two touch and go landings without incident. On the third landing he was unable to control the direction of the aicraft…

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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