# NTSB ERA15CA043: Piper PA 22-150, N7102D, Old Bridge, NJ, November 3, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 3, 2014, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Old Bridge, NJ
- Coordinates: 40.330001, -74.346664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3300&lon=-74.3467&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90353/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90353
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA043

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control while landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.

## 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-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)
- [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)
- [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: 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)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while in the landing flare, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to roll to the left. He applied right aileron to counteract the roll and provide wind correction; however, as the airplane decelerated during the landing roll, it lacked rudder authority to counteract a gust of wind from the right. The airplane ground looped 180 degrees to the right, and the left main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the outboard portion of the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Recorded wind velocity at a nearby airport about the time of the accident was 15 knots, with gusts to 25 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, while in the landing flare, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to roll to the left. He applied right aileron to counteract the roll and provide wind correction; however, as the airplane decelerated during the landing roll, it lacked rudder authority to counteract a gust of wind from the right. The airplane ground looped 180 degrees to the right, and the left main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the outboard portion of the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Recorded wind velocity at a nearby airport about the time of the accident was 15 knots, with gusts to 25 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7102D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7102D-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N 22-4959, built 1957 (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: 22-4959
- Year built: 1957
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SMQ, SOMERVILLE, NJ
- Destination: 3N6, Old Bridge, NJ
- Airport: 3N6, Old Bridge, runway 24, 3,594 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 392 total, 28 in this make and model, 266 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: BLM, 14 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 20141103020699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141103020699A), Nov 3, 2014: Piper PA-22-150, Englishtown, NJ, Substantial damage. After overflying the airport and checking the wind sock, the pilot of N7102D chose to conduct an approach to landing to runway 24 at (3N6), Englishtown, NJ.…

## Other investigations on N7102D (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 UNK64X3233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3233), Aug 6, 1964: Piper PA22 (N7102D), Mulino, OR, substantial damage

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90353. 5.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419842&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Written Statement to FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419843&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Written%20Statement%20to%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Belmar Weather (item 3, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419844&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Belmar%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Maintenance Records (Excerpts) (item 4, .PDF, 932 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419845&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(Excerpts)-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419846&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Horizontal Stabilizer (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419847&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Horizontal%20Stabilizer%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.