# NTSB ERA12CA350: Piper PA-22-150, N3956P, Norwich, NY, May 19, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2012, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Norwich, NY - Coordinates: 42.573055, -75.523612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5731&lon=-75.5236&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83715 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA350 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83715/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83715 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA350 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during a landing with a deflated left main landing gear tire. ## 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-22-150, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: tire casing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/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: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis About 400 feet into the third landing roll, the airplane began pulling to the left. The pilot corrected to the right using the rudder, and the airplane ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane’s left tire was deflated. Fragments of the tire and skid marks were observed on the runway. The pilot reported that the windsock at the accident airport indicated light wind from the south around the time of the accident. The cause of the deflated tire could not be determined. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the flight was to accomplish a biennial flight review. During the third landing, approximately 400 feet into the landing rollout, the aircraft began pulling to the left. The pilot applied correction to the right utilizing the rudder, and the airplane ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. After the airplane came to rest and the occupants exited the airplane, the left tire was noted as deflated and fragments of the tire were observed on the runway as well as skid marks. The wind around the time of the accident, at an airport 29 miles from the accident location was recorded as calm; the pilot reported that he had observed the windsock and it had indicated light winds from the south at the accident airport around the time of the accident. The cause of the deflated tire could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3956P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3956P), registered now, S/N 22-3634, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-3634 - Airframe hours: 2598 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2012 - Departed: OIC, Norwich, NY - Destination: OIC, Norwich, NY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: OIC, Lt Warren Eaton Airport, runway 19, 4,724 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 15, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 725 total, 391 in this make and model, 665 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 1,352 total, 0 in this make and model, 1,202 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: BGM, 29 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 20120519010259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120519010259A), May 19, 2012: Piper PA-22-150, Norwich, NY, Substantial damage. On landing, the aircraft touched down normaly near the runway centerline. On rollout, the aircraft began veering sharply left of runway centerline as a result… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83715. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (8 Embedded Photos) (item 1, .PDF, 8 photos, 833 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(8%20Embedded%20Photos)-Redacted.PDF - Binghamton New York Weather (item 2, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368631&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Binghamton%20New%20York%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Left Wing Damage (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Left Elevator Damage (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369539&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Left%20Elevator%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-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.