# NTSB ERA13CA164: Piper PA-25-235, N7329Z, Groveland, FL, March 13, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 13, 2013, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Groveland, FL - Coordinates: 28.405834, -81.837776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4058&lon=-81.8378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86409 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86409/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86409 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during a tailwind approach, his improper decision to continue a fast approach with a tailwind rather than go around, and his improper use of the wheel brakes during the landing roll. ## 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-25-235, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was conducting glider-tow operations, which were departing into the wind; the gliders were then landing in the opposite direction with a tailwind. After an uneventful glider tow and release, the airplane was returning to the airport to conduct a second glider tow. While turning to the base leg of the airport traffic pattern, a tailwind gust caused the airplane to lose about 10 mph of airspeed. To compensate, the pilot increased engine power and increased the airspeed from 60 mph to 80 mph, where it remained until touchdown. The pilot further stated that the airplane touched down "too fast" about 600 feet down the runway. He was concerned that the airplane would collide with gliders at the end of the runway, so he applied heavy braking, which caused the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing; no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal airplane operation were observed, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that he should have performed a go-around when the tailwind gust upset the approach on base leg. Recorded weather near the accident site indicated a tailwind of 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel airplane reported that the glider-tow operations were departing into the wind on a 3,000-foot long turf runway, and landing in the opposite direction, with a tailwind. After an uneventful glider release, the airplane was returning to the airport for a second glider tow. While turning on to a base leg of the airport traffic pattern, a tailwind gust caused the airplane to lose about 10 mph of airspeed. To compensate, the pilot increased engine power, which increased the airspeed from 60 mph to 80 mph, where it remained until touchdown. The pilot further stated that the airplane touched down "too fast," about 600 feet down the runway. He was concerned that the airplane would collide with gliders at the end of the runway, so he applied heavy braking, which caused the airplane to flip over and come to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that he should have performed a go-around when the tailwind gust upset the approach on base leg. Recorded weather near the accident site indicated a tailwind of 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7329Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7329Z-2019-02-26), registration cancelled 2019-02-26, S/N 25-3279, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-3279 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Glider tow, Part 91 - Operator: Tampa Bay Soaring Society Inc - Registered owner: Tampa Bay Soaring Society Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6FL0, Groveland, FL - Destination: 6FL0, Groveland, FL - Airport: 6FL0, Seminole Lake Gliderport, runway 18, 3,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 9,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: ZPH, 15 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 20130313002719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130313002719A), Mar 13, 2013: Piper PA-25-235, Clermont, FL, Substantial damage. This was a towplane operation. After releasing a glider the pilot was returning to land. During the landing roll out the aircraft flipped over. Pilot sustained… ## Other investigations on N7329Z (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 CHI99LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA229), Jul 12, 1999: Piper PA-25-235 (N7329Z), Lefor, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: the altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86409. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 842 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Left Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%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.