# NTSB LAX99LA135: Piper PA-22-135, N1244C, Novato, CA, March 31, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1999, 14:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Novato, CA - Coordinates: 38.100021, -122.629409 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1000&lon=-122.6294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46020 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46020/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA135 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the wind conditions and to maintain directional control of the aircraft while landing. A factor is the airport's failure to follow proper procedure in ensuring adequate obstacle and object free clearance around the runway. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ditch - clearance - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - not followed, airport personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was landing with a left quartering headwind. He reported that the touchdown was normal, but as he lowered the tail wheel, the aircraft weathervaned to the left into the wind. He applied full right pedal and initiated a go-around. The aircraft left the ground, turned downwind and lost lift. The airplane impacted the drainage ditch area parallel to the runway. There are drainage ditches and levees spanning the entire length on both sides of the runway. The ditches are approximately 6 to 8 feet deep and 12 feet wide, and are about 90 feet from the runway centerline. The levees are approximately 20 feet beyond the ditches. FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5300-13, regarding runway and taxiway design, indicates the Object Free Area for the accident airport to be 200 feet on either side of the runway centerline. The AC requires the Obstacle Free Zone to be 125 feet on each side of the runway centerline, and states that obstacles within that zone cannot be higher than 3 inches above grade; the sides of the ditches and levee rise about 3 feet above grade. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 1999, at 1435 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-135, N1244C, veered off runway 31 and collided with a ditch while landing at Gnoss Field in Novato, California. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot was seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and originated at the Sonoma Valley Airport, Sonoma, California, approximately 1425. The flight was terminating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Oakland Flight Standards District Office spoke to the pilot following the accident. The pilot reported that the airport traffic was landing on runway 31 and the windsock indicated a 90-degree crosswind from the west. He stated that the winds were from approximately 230 degrees at 10 to 15 knots, which gave him a left quartering headwind. He reported that the touchdown was normal, but as he lowered the tail wheel, the aircraft weathervaned to the left into the wind. The pilot applied full right pedal, and then applied power and initiated a go-around. The pilot said the aircraft left the ground, turned downwind and lost lift. The aircraft impacted the drainage ditch area parallel to the runway. The main landing gear was pushed back and upward and the firewall was bent. The FAA inspector reported that there are drainage ditches and levees paralleling the entire length of both sides of the runway. The ditches are approximately 6 to 8 feet deep and 12 feet wide and run about 90 feet from the runway centerline. The levees run approximately 20 feet beyond the ditches. According to the FAA Airport Safety Standards Supervisor, Gnoss Airport is federally funded and therefore, subject to the provisions of FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5300-13 regarding runway and taxiway design. The AC defines the Object Free Area, the area that must be free of objects except for essential navaids, for Gnoss Airport to be 400 feet wide, with 200 feet on each side of the runway centerline. The Obstacle Free Zone requires 250 feet in width, 125 feet on each side of the runway centerline. Obstacles within these zones cannot be higher than 3 inches above grade; the sides of the ditches and levee rise about 3 feet above grade. The airport manager reported that the runway was initially increased from 60 to 75 feet in width to help pilots with the continuous crosswind conditions at the airport. He further indicated that a future goal is to increase the runway width to 90 feet. He stated that although he believed the ditches and levees met the FAA safety requirements, he also believed that the barriers often posed a psychological barrier for pilots landing at the field. The swampy area around the airport is a protected wetland under the control of the State of California and impinges on the ability of the airport to alter the ditches and levees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1244C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1244C-2002-06-13), registration cancelled 2002-06-13, S/N 22-1047, built 1953 (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: 22-1047 - Airframe hours: 2057 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Long - Registered owner: Andrew D. Wait/John Long - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 1998, 59 hours before - Departed: 0Q3, SONOMA, CA - Destination: O56 - Airport: O56, Gnoss Field, runway 31, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 602 total, 33 in this make and model, 439 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: APC, 14 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 19990331002909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990331002909A), Mar 31, 1999: Piper PA22135, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Acft lost directional control on landing, ran off the rwy, and struck a ditch, other circumstances are unknown. (-23) the pilot was landing to runway 31 with a… ## Other investigations on N1244C (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 OAK67D0073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0073), Aug 1, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N1244C), Sonoma, 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.