- Date
- November 11, 1999, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place
- Rose Hill, TX
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N3311BPiper PA-22-135
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 2, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19991111031729A
- Case key
- 47756
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 35, and had completed two landings. During the ensuing takeoff roll, the pilot looked down to check the flap position and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. The airplane veered to the left, and the pilot made a correction to the right and 'pulled back on the throttle.' Subsequently, the aircraft 'ground looped' which resulted in the left wing and left elevator contacting the grass runway. The pilot reported that the wind was from 360 degrees at 2-5 knots.
Factual narrative
On November 11, 1999, at 1730 central standard time, a Piper PA-22-135 single-engine airplane, N3311B, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during takeoff roll at the May Airport near Rose Hill, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Weiser Air Park Airport near Houston, Texas, at 1700.
The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 35, and had completed two landings. During the ensuing takeoff roll, he looked down to check the flap position and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. The airplane veered to the left, and he made a correction to the right and "pulled back on the throttle." Subsequently, the aircraft "ground looped," and the left wing and left elevator contacted the grass runway, which resulted in substantial damage.
The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the wind was from 360 degrees at 2-5 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3311B
- Reported as
- Piper PA-22-135
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 22-2126
- Airframe hours
- 2,793
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- John H. Riddick Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 21, 1999 · 15 hours before
- Departed
- EYQ · Houston, TX
- Destination
- T51 · Houston, TX
- Airport
- T51 · May, runway 35, 3,440 × 50 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 50
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 155 total · 24 in this make and model · 97 as pilot in command · 24 in the last 90 days · 21 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N3311B · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.