# NTSB GAA17CA159: Piper PA22, N6024D, Big Lake, AK, February 23, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 22, 2017, 16:30 local (Feb 23, 2017, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Big Lake, AK - Coordinates: 61.534721, -149.811111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5347&lon=-149.8111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94785 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94785/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94785 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA159 ## Probable cause The contamination of snow and ice on the left main landing gear and brake, which prevented the wheel from rolling during touchdown and resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after conducting two touch-and-go landings at a nearby airport, he decided to land at a different airport to speak with a friend. He added that everything seemed normal during the touchdown on the snow-covered runway but that the airplane then "abruptly stopped and [nosed] over." The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the rudder. The pilot reported that the inside of the left main landing gear and brake was "packed with ice" and had frozen, which prevented the wheel from rotating during the landing roll. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that after a couple touch-and-go landings at a nearby airport, he decided to land at a different airport to speak with a friend. He further reported that everything seemed normal during the touchdown on the snow-covered runway, but the airplane then "abruptly stopped and [nosed] over". The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the rudder. The pilot reported that the inside of the left main landing gear and brake was "packed with ice" and had froze, which prevented the wheel from rotating during the landing roll. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6024D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6024D), registered now, S/N 22-4677, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA22 (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: 22-4677 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 3437 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 2016 - Departed: IYS, WASILLA, AK - Destination: BGQ, Big Lake, AK - Airport: BGQ, Big Lake, runway 25, 2,450 × 70 ft, gravel - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 599 total, 32 in this make and model, 560 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: PAWS, 8 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 20170222004289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170222004289A), Feb 22, 2017: Piper PA-22-150, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Following touch and goes at wasilla ap (iys) pilot decided to land Big Lake (bgq). Upon landing aircraft nosed over onto back. Pilot uninjured. After post… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94785. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF 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.