# NTSB DEN87LA151: Piper PA-22-160, N8924D, Los Lunas, NM, June 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1987, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Los Lunas, NM
- Coordinates: 34.809253, -106.729721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8093&lon=-106.7297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA151

## 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
  - landing gear,tailwheel - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tire - burst (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND WENT INTO A WATER FILLED IRRIGATION DITCH. THE ACFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A DEFLATED TAIL WHEEL WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE BLOWN OUT. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DAMAGE OCCURRED AT TOUCH DOWN OR DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8924D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8924D), registered now, S/N 22-6081 (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: 226081
- Airframe hours: 2457
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James D. Maness
- Registered owner: Maness, James D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Airport: E98, Mid Valley Air Park, runway 17, 4,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870614020439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870614020439A), Jun 14, 1987: Piper PA22160, Los Lunas, NM, Substantial damage. Tailwheel equipped aircraft swerved to the right, struck a ditch during rollout and inverted. Found blown tail tire

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.