DFW05CA008

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-22 · Reserve, LA · October 15, 2004

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
October 15, 2004, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
Place
Reserve, LA
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N88390Piper PA-22
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 28, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Case key
60361

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions. A contributing factor was the strong crosswind.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll
Compensation for wind conditions - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Ground loop/swerve - encounteredPilot in commandFactor
Weather condition - high windFactor
Weather condition - crosswindFactor
Main gear collapsedLanding - roll

Analysis

After landing on runway 17 (a 4,000-foot by 75-foot runway), the pilot started to turn left off the runway, but changed his mind. He swerved back towards the centerline to continue down the runway when the right wing and right landing gear started lifting up. He attempted to lower the wing and gear with aileron, but before he could get the airplane under control, the left gear collapsed. The left wing hit the runway, and the airplane initially continued down the runway, but then made a slow turn to the right, stopping with the propeller just over the right edge of the runway. The airplane was traveling on the ground at a speed of approximately 15 to 20 miles per hour when the wing lifted, and that a 15 to 20 knot crosswind prevailed from the right side of the runway.

Factual narrative

On October 15, 2004, approximately 1415 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22 single-engine, tail-wheel equipped airplane, N88390, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during the landing rollout at the Saint John the Baptist Parish Airport (1L0), near Reserve, Louisiana. The private pilot, the registered owner of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the South Lafourche Airport (L49), near Galliano, Louisiana, at approximately 1330.

According to the 964-hour pilot, after landing on runway 17 (a 4,000-foot by 75-foot runway), he started to turn left off the runway, but changed his mind. He swerved back towards the centerline to continue down the runway when the right wing and right landing gear started lifting up. He attempted to lower the wing and gear with aileron, but before he could get the airplane under control, the left gear collapsed. The left wing hit the runway, and the airplane initially continued down the runway, but then made a slow turn to the right, stopping with the propeller just over the right edge of the runway. The pilot also reported that he was traveling on the ground at a speed of approximately 15 to 20 miles per hour when the wing lifted, and that a 15 to 20 knot crosswind prevailed from the right side of the runway.

The pilot further reported that during an inspection following the mishap, he observed that the left wing struts and spars were bent, and that several wing ribs would need to be replaced. He also reported that his A & P mechanic examined the airplane and reported that it did not appear that any welds or parts had failed, but that the gear had been "torn apart."

At 1353, the automated weather observing system at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MKY), near New Orleans, Louisiana, located 18 nautical miles east from the site of the accident, reported wind from 240 degrees at 16 to 20 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 2,000 feet, temperature 24 degrees, dew point 12 degrees, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.84 inches of Mercury.

Aircraft

Registration
N88390
Reported as
Piper PA-22
Category
Airplane
Serial number
22-6009
Engine
Lycoming O-320-B2A, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Victor Gisclair
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
L49 · Galliano, LA
Destination
1L0 · Reserve, LA
Airport
1L0 · St. John the Baptist Parish Ai, runway 17, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
61
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
November 1, 2002
Seat
Left
Flight hours
964 total · 134 in this make and model · 60 in the last 90 days · 20 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
240° at 16 knots, gusting 20
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
75 °F, dew point 54 °F
Altimeter
29.84 inHg
Observed at
1L0, 18 nm away