# NTSB FTW98LA308: Piper PA-20-160, N8933D, Kemmerer, WY, July 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1998, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Kemmerer, WY - Coordinates: 41.77972, -110.550842 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7797&lon=-110.5508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43163 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA308 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43163/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA308 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, resulting in a ground loop. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in a conventional landing gear type of 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 - directional control - not maintained, 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 - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot said he 'let the airplane get ahead' of him. He landed in light and variable winds and during the rollout, the airplane began 'fishtailing' and ground looped. In his accident report, the pilot said the airplane touched down on runway 34 and the tail veered to the left. He responded with left rudder input. The tail then swerved to the right and he responded with full right rudder and brake and directional control was lost. He indicated the wind was calm. The pilot reported he had 9 hours in airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 1998, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, N8933D, a Piper PA-20-160 (converted from a PA-22-160), was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Kemmerer, Wyoming. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at a private airstrip at Farson, Wyoming, approximately 0930. In a telephone interview with the pilot, he said he "let the airplane get ahead" of him. He landed in light and variable winds and during the rollout, the airplane began "fishtailing" and ground looped. According to the pilot's accident report, the airplane touched down on runway 34 and the tail veered to the left. He responded with left rudder input. The tail then swerved to the right and he responded with full right rudder and brake and directional control was lost. The pilot indicated he had 9 hours in airplane make and model. The pilot did not immediately report the accident. According to the sheriff, he noticed the damaged airplane during a routine patrol. When an FAA inspector went to investigate, the airplane was gone. After the pilot was located by the FAA, the pilot contacted NTSB on July 13. He was asked to explain why the accident was not reported expeditiously to the nearest NTSB office. He did not answer the question. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8933D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8933D), registered now, S/N 22-6091 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-6091 - Airframe hours: 3723 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leland P. Grandy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1998, 59 hours before - Departed: NONE, FARSON, WY - Destination: EMM - Airport: EMM, Kemmerer Municipal, runway 34, 8,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 68 total, 9 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19980702017069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980702017069A), Jul 2, 1998: Piper PA22160, Kemmerer, WY, Substantial damage. Acft lost control then ground looped on landing, acft sustained substantial damage, Kemmerer, WY. (.4)the pilot said he 'let the airplane get ahead' of him. He… 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.