# NTSB LAX05CA019: Piper PA-22-160, N8158D, Vacaville, CA, October 30, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 29, 2004, 19:15 local (Oct 30, 2004, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.376667, -121.962219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3767&lon=-121.9622&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60474/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA019 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - muddy - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway during landing rollout and nosed over. The pilot reported that after touchdown he lost control and the airplane began to veer to the right. The airplane continued off the runway surface and encountered soft, muddy terrain. As the main landing gear entered the soft terrain, the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative On October 29, 2004, about 1915 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N8158D, veered off the runway during landing rollout and nosed over at the Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight originated from Vacaville about 1645. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings while remaining in the traffic pattern for runway 02. After completing six touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings without mishap, he planned to make a full stop landing, which would be his last of the day. The pilot said that during the landing roll he lost control and the airplane began to veer to the right. The airplane continued to the right, and departed off the runway surface, encountering soft, muddy terrain. As the main landing gear impacted the soft terrain, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane incurred damage to both wing struts and the upper section of the rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8158D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8158D), registered now, S/N 22-5649, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-160 - 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: 22-5649 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VCB, Vacaville, CA - Destination: VCB, Vacaville, CA - Airport: VCB, Nut Tree Airport, runway 02 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 189 total, 78 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20041029029189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041029029189A), Oct 29, 2004: Piper PA22160, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was practicing take-offs and landings after receiving several hours of dual in a tailwheel aircraft. Pilot lost directional control and ground… ## Other investigations on N8158D (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 LAX02LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA122), Mar 30, 2002: Piper PA-22-160 (N8158D), Vacaville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. - [NTSB SEA01LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA132), Jul 14, 2001: Piper PA-22-160 (N8158D), Friday Harbor, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. 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.