# NTSB MIA96LA091: Piper PA-22/20-150, N3311B, Merritt Island, FL, March 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 3, 1996, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Merritt Island, FL - Coordinates: 28.4402, -80.700935 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4402&lon=-80.7009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37988 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37988/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground swerve. The crosswind was a related factor. ## 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 (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot was landing on runway 29 with a wind that was reported to be from 020 degrees at about 16-19 knots. After passing a clearing in trees on the right side of the runway, he lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane went off the runway, into a ditch, and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 1996, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22/20-150, N3311B, crashed while landing at the Merritt Island Airport, Merritt Island, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1450 from the Merritt Island Airport. The pilot stated that the wind was from about 350 degrees at 16-19 knots and he performed three touch-and-go landings on runway 29. On the last landing during the landing roll, he lost directional control of the airplane after passing a clearing of trees located on the right side of the runway. He applied full right aileron, left brake and rudder but the airplane veered off the right side of the runway onto grass. Unable to stop, the airplane continued into a ditch and nosed over. The pilot further stated that while the airplane was decelerating, he reduced the aileron input that was applied on landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3311B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3311B), registered now, S/N 22-2126, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22/20-150 (PA-22/20-1) - 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: 22-2126 - Airframe hours: 2764 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stuart A. Aston - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1995, 55 hours before - Departed: COI - Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 29, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 466 total, 232 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: COF, 7 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 19960303004429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960303004429A), Mar 3, 1996: Piper PA22135, Cocoa, FL, Substantial damage. Lost control landing due crosswind gust from break in tree line. Exited runway into a ditch and nosed over. ## Other investigations on N3311B (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 FTW00LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA031), Nov 11, 1999: Piper PA-22-135 (N3311B), Rose Hill, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. - [NTSB OAK65D0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK65D0074), May 15, 1965: Piper PA-22 (N3311B), 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.