# NTSB DEN84LA084: Piper PA-22-135, N3553A, Dixon, WY, February 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1984, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Dixon, WY
- Coordinates: 41.029067, -107.530792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0291&lon=-107.5308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA084

## 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 maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT BEGAN TO WANDER BACK & FORTH ACROSS THE RWY ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL AS THE ACFT VEERED TO THELEFT. THE LEFT WHEEL HIT A SNOWBANK & THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE RIGHT WING BEFORE COMING TO REST. THERE WAS A 10 DEGREE LEFT X-WIND. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS INEXPERIENCED AS AN INSTRUCTOR & HAD LOGGED 26 HRSOF FLIGHT TIME IN A PA22. THE ACFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY THE REMOVAL OF A NOSE WHEEL & THE INSTALLATION OF A TAILWHEEL BUT A NEW TYPE CERTIFICATE HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3553A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1827
- Airframe hours: 3005
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 9U4, DIXON, WY
- Airport: 9U4, Dixon, runway 6, 4,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,313 total, 26 in this make and model, 1,313 as pilot in command, 256 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWL, 55 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 19840203002999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840203002999A), Feb 3, 1984: Piper PA22135, Dixon, WY, Substantial damage. Student was unable to keep aircraft straight on initial takeoff. CFI took over and also lost control. Hit snowbank.

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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