# NTSB ERA14CA243: Piper PA 22-150, N4305A, Meadville, PA, May 9, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2014, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Meadville, PA - Coordinates: 41.626388, -80.214721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6264&lon=-80.2147&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 July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89226/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89226 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA243 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go around in gusty wind conditions which resulted in a collision with terrain. ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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-aborted after touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he deviated to a nearby airport after discovering that the winds at his intended destination were too strong. While on short final the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left and the pilot initiated a go around. The wind gust then went away and the pilot elected to abort the go around and land. After touchdown the pilot reduced power to idle and applied the brakes. Once the airplane slowed to 40 mph it was hit by a "perpendicular gust", the left wing lifted and the airplane began a mild swerve to the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full aileron deflection and full right rudder inputs; however, he was unable to maintain directional control. The pilot then applied full power to initiate another go around. During the transition from ground roll to takeoff the right gear collapsed and the right wingtip and propeller impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he deviated to a nearby airport after discovering that the winds at his intended destination were too strong. While on short final the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left and the pilot initiated a go around. The wind gust then went away and the pilot elected to abort the go around and land. After touchdown the pilot reduced power to idle and applied the brakes. Once the airplane slowed to 40 mph it was hit by a "perpendicular gust", the left wing lifted and the airplane began a mild swerve to the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full aileron deflection and full right rudder inputs; however, he was unable to maintain directional control. The pilot then applied full power to initiate another go around. During the transition from ground roll to takeoff the right gear collapsed and the right wingtip and propeller impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4305A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4305A-2018-03-22), registration cancelled 2018-03-22, S/N 22-3656, 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: 22-3656 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 4958 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2014, 6 hours before - Departed: KFZY, Fulton, NY - Destination: KFKL, Franklin, PA - Airport: GKJ, Port Meadville, runway 25, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 98 total, 5 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Observed at: KGKJ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20140509022359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140509022359I), May 9, 2014: Piper PA-22-150, Meadville, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot of N4305A conducted a normal approach at Port Meadville Airport, Meadville, PA. During the course of the approach phase, the pilot stated that winds… ## Other investigations on N4305A (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 ATL88LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA094), Feb 18, 1988: Piper PA-22-150 (N4305A), Galion, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89226. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane on Trailer (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20on%20Trailer%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Fuselage Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Fuselage%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.