# NTSB LAX98LA094: Piper J3, N46PS, Chandler, AZ, February 22, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1998, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.320423, -111.81974 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3204&lon=-111.8197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 1, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA094

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.

## 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)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing touch-and-goes and lost directional control of the airplane during rollout from the last attempt.  The pilot said that as the airplane veered off to the left side of the runway he attempted to correct the drift by applying full right rudder and full throttle.  Before he was able to regain directional control of the airplane, the left gear struck a large bush on the edge of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On February 22, 1998, at 1400 hours mountain standard time, a Piper J3, N46PS, ground looped and subsequently collapsed a main landing gear strut during landing at the Chandler Memorial Airfield, Chandler, Arizona.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The flight originated at Steller Airpark in Chandler about 1315.

The pilot reported that during his rollout from the last touch-and-go, he lost directional control of the aircraft.  He said that the airplane veered to the left and he applied full right rudder and full throttle in an effort to regain directional control.  Before he was able to regain directional control of the airplane, the left gear leg struck a large bush on the edge of the runway.  The collision with the bush bent the gear and forced the left wing and propeller into the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N46PS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper J3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22261
- Airframe hours: 1844
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel S. Perry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1997, 10 hours before
- Departed: P19, STELLER AIRPARK, AZ
- Destination: L07, AZ
- Airport: L07, Chandler  Memorial, runway 29, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,362 total, 248 in this make and model, 1,316 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHD

## 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 19980222001699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980222001699A), Feb 22, 1998: Piper J3C65, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Ground looped. Landing. Collapsed a main landing gear. Damaged wing strut. (.4) the pilot was practicing touch-and-goes and lost directional control of the…

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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