# NTSB DEN08CA063: Piper PA-22, N1424A, Nickerson, KS, March 10, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 9, 2008, 19:40 local (Mar 10, 2008, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Nickerson, KS - Coordinates: 38.145, -98.08361 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1450&lon=-98.0836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67663 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67663/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA063 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in a departure from the runway environment. Contributing to the accident was the soft runway surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the landing roll to a private dirt strip, the airplane began to veer off the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder; however, the airplane continued to the left. The airplane departed the landing environment and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The inspector reported that the runway surface and shoulder were "very soft." ## Factual narrative According to the accident report form submitted by the pilot, during the landing roll to a private dirt strip, the airplane began to veer off the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder; however, the airplane continued to the left. The airplane departed the landing environment and nosed over. The leading edge of both wings was crushed aft, the fabric wrinkled, several ribs were broken, and the firewall was wrinkled. The top portion of the rudder was crushed down. The pilot observed tracks on the ground "where the left tire was dragging like it had locked up." The pilot stated that the airplane does not have differential brakes. In addition, he reported that the master cylinder for the brake system is located a few inches above the exhaust muffler. He reported that when the cylinder is hot, it will result in the brakes dragging. An airworthiness inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration conducted an examination of the airplane systems, to include the flight controls, wheels and brakes. An examination of these systems revealed no anomalies. The inspector reported that the runway surface and shoulder were "very soft." Pictures of the runway environment revealed ruts from previous takeoffs and landings and the accident flight. The inspector reported that the ruts from the accident flight revealed the airplane touched down left of the centerline on the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1424A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1424A), registered now, S/N 22-338, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (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: 22-338 - Airframe hours: 2622 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008 - Departed: Nickerson, KS - Destination: Nickerson, KS - Airport: PVT, Ag Air - Private, runway 27, 2,500 × 25 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 187 in this make and model, 218 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KHUT, 10 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 20080309013079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080309013079A), Mar 9, 2008: Piper PA22, Nickerson, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) A 1955 Piper tri-pacer (PA22-135) was substantially damaged when after landing, the aircraft went off the runway and flipped over. There were no injuries… 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.