# NTSB ERA09LA468: Piper PA-12, N7556H, Mount Holly, NJ, August 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2009, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Mount Holly, NJ - Coordinates: 39.939167, -74.840278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9392&lon=-74.8403&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 August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74555 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA468 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74555/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74555 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA468 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control during landing for undetermined reasons. ## 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-12, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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-12, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after he lowered the tailwheel to the runway on landing, the airplane became "squirrely" and veered to the left. He attempted to correct the trajectory with the application of "full left rudder and brake," but the airplane departed the dry paved surface of the 50-foot-wide runway and ground-looped in the grass on the left side of the runway. The pilot believed that the non-pilot-rated passenger had inadvertently interfered with the airplane controls, but the passenger denied any interference. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and stated that the tailwheel centering mechanism was "weak," and could "easily" be moved out of the centered position. An FAA-conducted functional check of the left brake system determined that the system operated normally. The right braking system was damaged in the accident, which precluded a functional check, but the FAA inspector reported that a visual check did not reveal any preaccident failures. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 18, 2009, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N7556H, was substantially damaged following a runway excursion after landing on runway 26 at the South Jersey Regional Airport (VAY), Mount Holly, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot and non-pilot rated passenger were not injured. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot departed VAY about 1400, and conducted a "completely normal" local flight before returning to the airport for landing. When the airplane was on the final leg of the traffic pattern, the wind "picked up," and the pilot decided to make a "wheel landing to a full stop." The pilot stated that he touched down on the upwind wheel, and noticed a "squealing" sound, "like a tire being skidded." As he lowered the tailwheel onto the ground, the airplane became "squirrely" and started "veering to the left." The pilot attempted to correct the airplane's trajectory with the application of "full left rudder and brake," but the airplane continued towards the edge of the runway, and departed into the grass on the left side of the runway, where it ground-looped. In a written statement, the pilot said that the passenger had his foot on the left brake pedal during the landing. The pilot stated that he had briefed the passenger prior to the flight regarding the brakes, since the passenger was not familiar with the airplane's heel brake system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the scene, reported that the passenger stated that his hands and feet were clear of all flight controls during the landing. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. He held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and instrument airplane, and a ground instructor certificate. He also held a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued in July, 2009. According to the pilot, he had approximately 4,600 hours total flight experience, and approximately 155 hours in the accident airplane make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1946. The pilot reported that the most recent annual inspection was completed October 1, 2008, at which time the airframe had accumulated a total time in service of 3,900 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The VAY 1454 automated weather observation included variable direction winds at 4 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, and few clouds at 4,200 feet. AIRPORT INFORMATION According to FAA information, VAY was equipped with a single asphalt runway that measured 3,911 feet by 50 feet. The runway was reported to be dry at the time of the accident. VAY was not equipped with an airtraffic control tower. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident scene, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and the fuselage. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The FAA inspector reported that his examination of the tailwheel assembly revealed that the centering mechanism was "weak," and that the tailwheel could "easily" be moved out of the centered position. The right main landing gear brake line was fracture-separated from the airframe. The mechanical linkages that remained attached to the landing gear were able to be moved freely with light pressure from a screwdriver. The inspector reported that the brake calipers and disc appeared "mechanically sound," but no functional tests were accomplished on the right brake. All left brake components were visually inspected and found to be "normal." The FAA inspector stated that a functional check of the left wheel brake system was conducted, and that the system functioned satisfactorily, but he did not specify the method used to conduct the functional check. The wheel bearings were not inspected, and the FAA inspector did not report whether the wheel was free to rotate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7556H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7556H-2020-10-20), registration cancelled 2020-10-20, S/N 12-423, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-423 - Airframe hours: 3900 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dennis Mazzoni / John Pallante - Registered owner: Dennis Mazzoni / John Pallante - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2008 - Departed: VAY, Mount Holly, NJ - Destination: VAY, Mount Holly, NJ - Airport: VAY, South Jersey Regional, runway 26, 3,911 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 5, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 4,600 total, 155 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: VAY ## 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 20090818048489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090818048489A), Aug 18, 2009: Piper PA-12, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage. N7556H departed vay for a local flight for 20 minutes. While on final for landing on runway 26 the wind picked up from left to right. The pilot stated the wind… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74555. 885 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 737 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319533&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319534&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statements (item 3, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329893&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319535&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.