# NTSB FTW96LA276: Piper PA-22-150, N6048D, El Paso, TX, June 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 1996, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: El Paso, TX - Coordinates: 31.799884, -106.360679 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7999&lon=-106.3607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19884 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19884/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA276 ## Probable cause loss of directional control due to the failure of the tailwheel lock. A factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,tailwheel lock - failure (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis During the landing roll in a crosswind, the plane's tailwheel lock failed. The pilot subsequently lost control of the airplane. The plane went off the left side of the hard surface runway and ground looped. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 1996, at 0600 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N6048D, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing near El Paso, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Deming Municipal Airport in Deming, New Mexico, at approximately 0500. According to witnesses at the airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane while landing on runway 26L at El Paso International Airport. The pilot stated that during the landing roll, "the tailwheel popped out of the lock and shimmied 3 times." The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway despite the pilot's application of full rudder and brake. As the airplane left the hard surface, the pilot discontinued the braking action to avoid nosing over and the airplane ground looped, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot stated that the tower issued him the reported winds while on the downwind leg, and he accepted the clearance to land on runway 26L. The recorded winds at the time of the accident were reported from 200 degrees at 7 knots. In the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot added that at the time of the accident the winds were gusting in excess of 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6048D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6048D), registered now, S/N 22-4701, 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: 22-4701 - Airframe hours: 3016 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George M. Lessard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1995, 92 hours before - Departed: DMN, DEMING, NM - Destination: ELP - Airport: ELP, El Paso International, runway 26, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,523 total, 93 in this make and model, 2,141 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ELP ## 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 19960624015399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960624015399A), Jun 24, 1996: Piper PA22150, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Veered off runway landing. Ground looped. Damaged right wing. Bent rear spar. Failed land into wind or go around. (-23) pilot stated that during landing roll,… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.