# NTSB FTW92LA043: Piper PA-22, N3746A, New Roads, LA, December 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1991, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: New Roads, LA
- Coordinates: 30.711719, -91.480471 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7117&lon=-91.4805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA043

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE RESULTANT GROUND LOOP. FACTORS WERE THE CFI'S LACK OF SUPERVISION AND THE DITCH ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING LANDING THE STUDENT PILOT DEVELOPED A LEFT DRIFT WHICH EVOLVED INTO A GROUND LOOP. THE TAILWHEEL IMPACTED A DRAINAGE DITCH AND MUDDY TERRAIN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. ON PREVIOUS FLIGHTS, THE INSTRUCTOR HAD FLOWN FROM THE LEFT SEAT BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE BRAKE PEDALS INSTALLED FOR THE RIGHT SEAT. DUE TO DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCY BY THE STUDENT, THE CFI HAD ELECTED TO OCCUPY THE RIGHT SEAT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3746A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3746A), registered now, S/N 22-1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1989
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Robert M. Brooks
- Registered owner: Robert M. Brooks
- Airport: LA30, False River Air Park, runway 18, 4,999 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,213 total, 13 in this make and model, 4,834 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19911207055749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911207055749A), Dec 7, 1991: Piper STCPA22, New Roads, LA, Substantial damage. CFI allowed student to change over to left side. No brakes on right side. Student ground looped on first landing.

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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