# NTSB ERA16CA125: Piper PA 22-108, N5488Z, Lincolnton, NC, March 6, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 6, 2016, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Lincolnton, NC
- Coordinates: 35.483333, -81.161109
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4833&lon=-81.1611&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 May 3, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92813
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92813/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92813
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA125

## Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot's loss of directional control while landing.

## 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-22-108, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102204), [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-22-108, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=7102204), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/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-22-108, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102204), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot/owner of the single engine airplane was conducting a local test flight with a prospective buyer, who held a private pilot certificate. After exiting the airport traffic area and climbing to an altitude of 1,800 feet, the pilot permitted the prospective buyer to manipulate the flight controls. The pilot then reassumed control of the airplane for the return flight to the departure airport. According to the prospective buyer, while on final approach to land on runway 5, he noticed that the airplane was yawed to the left and applied right rudder, but the pilot told him to stay off the controls, which he did for the remainder of the flight. After landing, the airplane veered to the left and departed the left side of the runway; where it struck an embankment, and flipped over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing struts, rudder, aft lower fuselage, firewall, and nose gear assembly. Both occupants stated there were no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The non-certificated pilot/owner of the single engine airplane was conducting a local test flight with a prospective buyer, who held a private pilot certificate. After exiting the airport traffic area and climbing to an altitude of 1,800 feet, the pilot permitted the prospective buyer to manipulate the flight controls. The pilot then reassumed control of the airplane for the return flight to the departure airport. According to the prospective buyer, while on final approach to land on runway 5, he noticed that the airplane was yawed to the left and applied right rudder, but the pilot told him to stay off the controls, which he did for the remainder of the flight. After landing, the airplane veered to the left and departed the left side of the runway; where it struck an embankment, and flipped over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing struts, rudder, aft lower fuselage, firewall, and nose gear assembly. Both occupants stated there were no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5488Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5488Z), registered now, S/N 22-9271, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 22-108 (108)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-9271
- Year built: 1962
- Airframe hours: 2728.76
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 2016
- Departed: IPJ, Lincolnton, NC
- Destination: IPJ, Lincolnton, NC
- Airport: IPJ, Lincolnton-Lincoln County Rgnl, runway 05, 5,504 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 700 total, 501 in this make and model
- Pilot-rated passenger; age 37; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 76 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: KIPJ

## 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 20160306001709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160306001709A), Mar 6, 2016: Piper PA-22-108, Iron Station, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft was operated by the [privacy data omitted]pilot during a 14 CFR 91 flight for the purpose of selling the aircraft. The proposed buyer of the aircraft…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92813. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 884 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439487&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439488&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF
- Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.