# NTSB FTW92LA161: Piper PA-22-150, N3711P, Walnut Ridge, AR, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Walnut Ridge, AR
- Coordinates: 36.059928, -90.949974 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0599&lon=-90.9500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA161

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOTS TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TYPE AIRPLANE.

## 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
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING STOP AND GO LANDINGS ON THE CONCRETE RUNWAY WITH HIS TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANE. A WHEEL LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON THE EIGHTH LANDING. AS THE AIRPLANE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE TAIL WHEEL WAS LOWERED. THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE TURN BY APPLYING LEFT BRAKE AND RUDDER. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED THE GROUND LOOP AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED ALLOWING THE PROPELLER AND LEFT WING TO IMPACT THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND REPORTED A TOTAL OF TWO HOURS IN THE MODEL. HE STATED TO THE FAA INSPECTOR THAT HE NORMALLY FLEW TRICYCLE GEAR AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3711P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3711P-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 22-3429, built 1956 (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: 22-3429
- Airframe hours: 3145
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gilmore, Garland W.
- Registered owner: Gilmore, Garland W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: ARG
- Destination: ARG
- Airport: ARG, Walnut Ridge Reg., runway 17, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 2 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920614020309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614020309A), Jun 14, 1992: Piper PA22150, Walnut Ridge, AR, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing roll. Collapsed left main gear. Unskilled in handling tail wheel aircraft.

## Other investigations on N3711P (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 FTW98LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA227), May 16, 1998: Piper PA-22-150 (N3711P), Searcy, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. A factor was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

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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