# NTSB FTW93LA227: Piper PA-22-150, N2464P, Harrison, AR, July 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1993, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, AR
- Coordinates: 36.23965, -93.109764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2396&lon=-93.1098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA227

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT GROUNDLOOP BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE CAME OFF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT RUDDER TO KEEP THE AIRPLANE ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE LEFT RUDDER PEDAL LOCKED AND THE AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED TO THE RIGHT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE RUDDER SYSTEM DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 1993, at approximately 1330 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N2464P, sustained substantial damage near Harrison, Arkansas, during the takeoff roll when the airplane groundlooped and impacted the terrain. The airline transport rated pilot and the two passengers did not receive injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

During interviews, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)inspector and the investigator in charge the pilot stated that during the takeoff roll at 45 to 50 miles per hour, he applied left rudder as the tail wheel came off the runway. The pilot further stated that as he continued to work the rudder pedals to keep the airplane straight down the runway, he heard a click in the rudder pedals and the left pedal locked. The airplane subsequently groundlooped to the right, exited the runway, and impacted the grass. Winds were calm.

Examination of the rudder system by a mechanic and a FAA inspector did not reveal any anomalies that would have contributed to the accident.

The airplane was released to the owner following the investigation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2464P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2464P), registered now, S/N 22-2839, built 1955 (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: 22-2839
- Airframe hours: 2943
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Knapp, Gerald A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1993, 3 hours before
- Departed: HRO
- Destination: LBO, LEBANON, MO
- Airport: HRO, Boone County, runway 36, 6,161 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 449 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19930730027359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930730027359A), Jul 30, 1993: Piper PA22150, Harrison, AR, Substantial damage. On takeoff as tail came up used left rudder. Reported it locked but ground looped to right. No anomalies found.

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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