# NTSB GAA18CA324: Piper PA 22, N7257D, Talkeetna, AK, June 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2018, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.43, -150.240005 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4300&lon=-150.2400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97409 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA324 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97409/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97409 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA324 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s improper landing flare and failure to maintain a proper descent rate during approach, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, during approach at a low level, due to "wind shear," the tailwheel-equipped airplane suddenly lost altitude. The instructor increased the engine power to full, but the airplane touched down "harder than normal." The airplane impacted the airstrip with a side load, and the left wing and left landing gear separated from the airplane, which then slid to a stop and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The instructor reported that the wind was from 180° and light and variable at 7 to 10 knots. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, during approach at a low level, due to "wind shear" the airplane had a sudden altitude loss. The pilot increased the engine power to full but the tailwheel equipped airplane touched down "harder than normal." The airplane impacted the airstrip with a side load; the left wing and left landing gear separated. The airplane slid to a stop and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The instructor pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the instructor, "wind shear conditions" were present on the approach. The pilot reported the wind from 180 degrees, light and variable at 7 to 10 knots. The automated weather observation station located on the airport about 8 nautical miles away reported that the wind was from 200° at 9 knots; visibility at 10 SM; cloud condition few at 11,000 ft. AGL; temperature 61°F; dew point 39°F; and barometric setting of 29.80 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7257D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7257D), registered now, S/N 22-5084, built 1957 (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: 22-5084 - Year built: 1957 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Christiansen Lake Rentals & Maintenance - Registered owner: Christiansen Lake Rentals & Maintenance - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: December 17, 2017 - Departed: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK - Destination: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 37; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,040 total, 86 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 231 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 60; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: PATK, 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 20180604007079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180604007079A), Jun 4, 2018: Piper PA-22-150, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Student pilot training flight with flight instructor on board. During the 5th landing on a gravel bar, the aircraft encountered a downdraft/headwind/windshear… ## Other investigations on N7257D (2) 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 ANC12CA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA039), May 14, 2012: Piper PA-22-150 (N7257D), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's… - [NTSB ANC06CA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA045), Apr 15, 2006: Piper PA-22-150 (N7257D), Birchwood, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing roll, which resulted in the loss of directional control by the student, a ground-loop, and collapse of the main landing gear. A… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97409. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 855 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 314 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.