# NTSB ERA10CA245: Piper PA-22-135, N170JH, Hoensdale, PA, April 24, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2010, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Hoensdale, PA - Coordinates: 41.509166, -75.250831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5092&lon=-75.2508&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75869 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75869/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75869 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA245 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper final approach, resulting in a bounced landing and ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/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-22-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102206), [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-22-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel airplane stated, "my touchdown was a bounce, followed by a smaller bounce. The airplane started veering left and off the runway. I applied right rudder and added power to try to straighten out when the tail came out left. I cut the power as the ground loop occurred. The airplane came to rest 180 degrees, facing south." Damage to the airplane consisted of substantial damage to the left wing spar and left elevator. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by making the decision to acquire more time with landings in this type of airplane prior to solo, and prior to operating on a hard surface. The pilot reported 5 hours of total experience in the make and model accident airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane stated, "my touchdown was a bounce, followed by a smaller bounce. The airplane started veering left and off the runway. I applied right rudder and added power to try to straighten out when the tail came out left. I cut the power as the ground loop occurred. The airplane came to rest 180 degrees, facing south." Damage to the airplane consisted of substantial damage to the left wing spar and left elevator. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by making the decision to acquire more time with landings in this type of airplane prior to solo, and prior to operating on a hard surface. The pilot reported 5 hours of total experience in the make and model accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N170JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N170JH-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 22-1645, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (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: 22-1645 - Airframe hours: 3366 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Vincent Peter Cianfichi, Jr. - Registered owner: Vincent Peter Cianfichi, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2009, 8 hours before - Departed: 76N, Tunkhannock, PA - Destination: N30, Hoensdale, PA - Airport: N30, Cherry Ridge Airport, runway 36, 2,420 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 529 total, 5 in this make and model, 467 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: AVP, 23 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 20100424032499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100424032499A), Apr 24, 2010: Piper PA-22-135, Honesdale, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was landing on rwy 36 with the winds variable @ 5 knots. Approach was normal with touchdown 1/3 down rwy. A mild bounce occurred with the… ## Other investigations on N170JH (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA14LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA015), Oct 4, 2013: Piper PA-22-135 (N170JH), Selinsgrove, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The incorrect (reverse) rigging of the elevator cables by maintenance personnel and their subsequent failure to verify that the rigging was correct during postmaintenance checks and the pilot's… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75869. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 413 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329367&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Digital Photo 1; Left wing damage (item 2, .PDF, 359 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329369&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo%201;%20Left%20wing%20damage-Master.PDF - FAA Digital Photo 2; Left Elevator Damage (item 3, .PDF, 314 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo%202;%20Left%20Elevator%20Damage-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.