# NTSB FTW83LA163: Piper PA-22-125, N816A, Lajitas, TX, February 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1983, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Lajitas, TX
- Coordinates: 29.280265, -103.179901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2803&lon=-103.1799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA163

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A SUPERVISED CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FLT. AFTER ARRIVING AT AN EN ROUTE AIRPORT, HE LANDED ON RUNWAY 22 WITH AN ESTIMATED CROSSWIND FROM 310 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 20 KTS. AFTER DECELERATING TO TAXI SPEED ON THE RUNWAY, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED & THE ACFT WAS BLOWN ONTO THE LEFT WING & NOSE, THEN OVER ON ITS BACK. THE STUDENT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE CALM WHEN HE DEPARTED ON THE CROSS-COUNTRY & WERE FORCASTED TO REMAIN THE SAME. THIS WAS THE STUDENT'S FIRST FLIGHT TO THIS AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N816A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N816A-2001-07-02), registration cancelled 2001-07-02, S/N 22-120 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-125
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-120
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Abb Gandy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 28, 1982
- Departed: E38, ALPINE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 17XS, Lajitas, runway 22, 4,700 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 78 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: 17XS

## 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 19830227008869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830227008869A), Feb 27, 1983: Piper PA22, Lajitas, TX, Substantial damage. A crosswind raised a wing on the landing roll and dragged the other wing. Airplane cartwheeled and flipped over.

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.

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