# NTSB LAX01LA081: Piper PA-22, N9411D, Camarillo, CA, January 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 27, 2001, 11:11 local (19:11 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.230464, -119.069633 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2305&lon=-119.0696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 51400 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51400/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA081 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings at another nearby airport. The airplane had been converted from tricycle to conventional landing gear and the pilot had received a tailwheel aircraft logbook endorsement. The pilot applied about 1/2 of the engine power and intended to perform a "slow takeoff." The runway was 6,010 feet long and 150 feet wide. During the early part of the takeoff roll, when the pilot applied forward pressure on the controls to lift the tail from the runway, the aircraft started to veer to the left. He corrected with right rudder and the airplane entered a skid to the right and ground looped. The airplane came to rest off the right-hand edge of the runway with damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, and left landing gear. The surface wind was a right, quartering tailwind at 3 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 27, 2001, at 1111 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22, N9411D, was substantially damaged when the aircraft ground looped during takeoff at Camarillo, California. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local area personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings at another nearby airport. The airplane had been converted from tricycle to conventional landing gear and the pilot had received a tailwheel aircraft logbook endorsement. The pilot applied about 1/2 of the engine power and intended to perform a "slow takeoff." Runway 26 is 6,010 feet long and 150 feet wide. During the early part of the takeoff roll, when the pilot applied forward pressure on the controls to lift the tail from the runway, the aircraft started to veer to the left. He corrected with right rudder and the airplane entered a skid to the right and ground looped. The airplane came to rest off the right-hand edge of the runway with damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, and left landing gear. The surface wind was from 020 degrees at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9411D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9411D), registered now, S/N 22-6385, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - 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: 22-6385 - Airframe hours: 3343 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard A. Sweet - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2000, 29 hours before - Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA - Destination: OXR, Oxnard, CA - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 2, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 31 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: CMA ## 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 20010127000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010127000839A), Jan 27, 2001: Piper PA22160, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command lost control of the a/c on takeoff resulting in a ground loop. Damage consisted of this: left wing including both spars, left… ## Other investigations on N9411D (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 OAK74DVA18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVA18), Sep 5, 1973: Piper PA-22 (N9411D), Kettleman, CA, substantial damage 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.