# NTSB MIA96LA190: Piper PA-22-135, N1544P, Georgetown, SC, July 16, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1996, 10:16 local (14:16 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, SC
- Coordinates: 33.360755, -79.289726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3608&lon=-79.2897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38054
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38054/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA190

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to see-and-avoid an obstruction on the ground (inadequate visual lookout) during a precautionary landing, which resulted in a collapsed nose gear and subsequent nose over.  Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, and the pilot becaming lost/disoriented.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - other
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he became disoriented, while circumnavigating weather with a low ceiling. He then made a precautionary landing in an open field. During the landing, the airplane collided with a 5 gallon water pump tank, collapsing the nose wheel. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted.

## Factual narrative

On July 16, 1996, about  1016 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135, N1544P, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight,  crashed on landing rollout during a precautionary landing  in the vicinity of Georgetown, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, about 1 hour 16 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated that he became disoriented while circumnavigating weather with about a 1,100-foot ceiling. He made a precautionary landing to an open field, collided with a 5- gallon water pump tank, collapsing the nose wheel. The airplane nosed over and came to a complete stop inverted .

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1544P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1544P-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N 22-2407 (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: 22-2407
- Airframe hours: 2750
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Freddie  J. Pyle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1995, 10 hours before
- Departed: 8S5, MT PLEASANT, SC
- Destination: HWY, CONWAY, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 30 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 19960716017879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960716017879A), Jul 16, 1996: Piper PA22135, Georgetown, SC, Substantial damage. Lost in worsening weather. Elected land off airport. Struck water pump tank on rollout. Nosed over.

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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