# NTSB IAD98LA058: Piper PA-22-135, N1142C, Winchester, VA, May 13, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1998, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Winchester, VA
- Coordinates: 39.16957, -78.170547 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1696&lon=-78.1705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA058

## Probable cause

Improper flare.   A related factor was the pilot's diverted attention.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during landing on runway 32, he touched down on the nosewheel first followed by the main wheels.  The nosewheel then collapsed, and the airplane came to rest 100 feet beyond the touchdown point.  He said that he was distracted during landing as his passenger was sick and vomiting.  The pilot said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On May 13, 1998, at 1915 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135, N1142C, was substantially damaged when it touched down hard during landing at the Winchester Regional Airport, Winchester, Virginia.  The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that during landing on runway 32, the airplane's nosewheel struck the runway.  The nosewheel then collapsed, and the airplane came to rest 100 feet beyond the touchdown point.  He said that he was distracted during the landing as his passenger was sick and vomiting.

The pilot said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1142C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1142C-2018-02-27), registration cancelled 2018-02-27, S/N 22-979, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-979
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David F Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FRR, FRONT ROYAL, VA
- Destination: OKV, VA
- Airport: OKV, Winchester Regional, runway 32, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 306 total, 28 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKV

## 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 19980513009049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980513009049A), May 13, 1998: Piper PA22135, Winchester, VA, Substantial damage. Failed flare landing. Impact on nose. Bent prop. Broke engine mounts. Bent firewall and gear. (.4)the pilot reported that during landing on runway 32, 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.

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