# NTSB LAX98LA100: Ryan PT22-ST3KR, N57085, Davis, CA, March 1, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1998, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Davis, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549118, -121.800529 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5491&lon=-121.8005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA100

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft on the landing roll.

## 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
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

The pilot was performing a wheel landing and said that when he lowered the tail, the aircraft veered off to the left side of the runway.  He reported that he then added power, but the aircraft was already in the soft mud.  The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest inverted.  In his written report, the pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On March 1, 1998, at 1300 hours Pacific standard time, a Ryan PT22-ST3KR, N57085, veered off the runway and nosed over during the landing roll at the Davis, California, airport.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The personal flight originated at the Vacaville, California, airport at 1200 and was terminating at the time of the accident.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he was performing a wheel landing on runway 34.  The pilot stated that when he lowered the tail, the aircraft veered off to the left side of the runway.  He reported that he then added power, but the aircraft was already in the soft mud.  The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest inverted.  In his written report, the pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57085](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57085), registered now, S/N 2136, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ryan PT22-ST3KR
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2136
- Airframe hours: 3572
- Engines: Kinner R-56 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Dawson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1997, 5 hours before
- Departed: O45, VACAVILLE, CA
- Airport: 2Q3, Yolo Co. - Davis/Woodland, runway 34, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 18,042 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,663 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMF, 18 nm away

## 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 19980301008369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980301008369A), Mar 1, 1998: Ryan ST3KR, Davis, CA, Substantial damage. Veered off runway. Failed to note change in wind direction. (.4)the pilot was performing a wheel landing and said that when he lowered the tail, the aircraft…

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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