# NTSB FTW98LA227: Piper PA-22-150, N3711P, Searcy, AR, May 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 1998, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Searcy, AR - Coordinates: 35.240653, -91.729446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2407&lon=-91.7294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20613 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20613/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA227 ## 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. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The 1,800 hour instrument rated private pilot lost directional control of the airplane on take-off roll, during an instructional flight which was to familiarize him with the airplane. The airplane landed on runway 01, the instructor pilot retracted the flaps, and told the private pilot to 'go around.' As the private pilot applied takeoff power, the airplane began to veer to the right. Full rudder and aileron deflection, combined with maximum braking failed direct the airplane back to the runway centerline. Subsequently, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and came to rest nose down in a drainage ditch, between the runway and a taxiway. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 1998, approximately 1600 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150 single engine airplane, N3711P, owned and operated by Flight Maintenance Inc., was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff roll, at the Searcy Municipal Airport, near Searcy, Arkansas. The flight instructor and the instrument rated private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flight. The flight originated from the Searcy Municipal Airport, at 1500. During a telephone interview with a representative of the NTSB, the private pilot stated that he was in the process of purchasing the tail wheel equipped airplane. The purpose of the flight was for the private pilot to "familiarize" himself with the airplane. The private pilot and instructor pilot reported the following events in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The 1,800 hour private pilot, who was flying from the left seat, landed the airplane on runway 01. During the landing roll, the flight instructor retracted the flaps and directed him to "go around." The private pilot applied power, and the airplane began to veer to the right of the runway centerline. Both pilots reported that they applied full left aileron, left rudder and left brake; however, the airplane continued turning to the right. The airplane turned 90 degrees to the right, exited the runway and came to rest nose down in a drainage ditch, upright between the runway and a taxiway. The instructor pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was from 350 degrees at 10 knots and the visibility was at least 10 statute miles. An FAA representative examined the airplane and reported that the left side of the fuselage was buckled and a portion of tubing located on the underside of the main fuselage was displaced "8 inches." The inspector added that he did not find any evidence of a mechanical malfunction. ## 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: 3200 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Flight Maintenance Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: MO7 - Airport: MO7, Searcy Municipal Airport, runway 1, 5,007 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private, flight instructor, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,400 total, 22 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LIT, 38 nm away ## 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 19980516009649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980516009649A), May 16, 1998: Piper PA22150, Searcy, AR, Substantial damage. Acft landed swerved to the right, and struck a ditch, Searcy, AR. (.4)the 1,800 hour instrument rated private pilot lost directional control of the airplane on… ## 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 FTW92LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA161), Jun 14, 1992: Piper PA-22-150 (N3711P), Walnut Ridge, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOTS TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TYPE AIRPLANE. 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.