# NTSB LAX96LA030: Piper PA-22-135, N3562A, Davis, CA, October 31, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 1995, 08:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Davis, CA - Coordinates: 38.550365, -121.800018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5504&lon=-121.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29326/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA030 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll by diverting his attention. ## 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) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - soft - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL IN THE CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANE, THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO THE AIRPLANE'S FLOOR AND DID NOT INITIALLY OBSERVE THE AIRPLANE VEERING OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND APPLIED BRAKES. THE AIRPLANE EXITED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN, AND NOSED OVER. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 1995, about 0815 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-135, N3562A, nosed over during takeoff from the University Airport, Davis, California. The personal flight was being initiated at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was equipped with conventional landing gear and was substantially damaged. Neither the commercial pilot nor passenger was injured. The pilot reported that his attention was diverted during the takeoff roll on runway 16. He looked down at the floor and did not initially observe the airplane veering off course to the left. The pilot further reported that he reduced engine power and applied brakes. The airplane exited the runway, encountered soft terrain, and nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3562A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3562A), registered now, S/N 22-1836 (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: 22-1831 - Airframe hours: 2756 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William H. Farmer - Registered owner: Edward Crotty - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1995, 1 hours before - Departed: 0O5 - Destination: 045, VACAVILLE, CA - Airport: 0O5, University, runway 16, 3,185 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 19951031038799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951031038799A), Oct 31, 1995: Piper PA22135, Davis, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll. Aborted. Used brakes. Exited runway. Nosed over in soft dirt. ## Other investigations on N3562A (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 OAK78FVG71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVG71), Aug 5, 1978: Piper PA-22 (N3562A), Fair Oaks, 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.