# NTSB MIA97LA041: Piper PA-22-150, N6955D, Pensacola, FL, December 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 10, 1996, 11:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Pensacola, FL - Location: 30.4734° N, 87.1866° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PENSACOLA INTL (PNS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4734&lon=-87.1866&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 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38190 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38190/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA041 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground swerve and subsequent collapse of the nose gear. 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) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot stated that he made a straight-in approach to the runway with a crosswind from the left. After touchdown during the landing roll, the left wing was raised, and the right wing tip then contacted the runway. The airplane then yawed to the right, and the nose gear collapsed. ## Factual narrative On December 10, 1996, about 1125 central standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N6955D, registered to a private individual, experienced a loss of control during the landing roll at the Pensacola Regional Airport, Pensacola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 0835 from the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, Florida. The pilot stated that he executed a straight in approach to the runway with a crosswind from the left. After touchdown during the landing roll, the left wing was raised and the right wing tip then contacted the runway. The airplane then yawed to the right collapsing the nose landing gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6955D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6955D), registered now, S/N 22-4884, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-4884 - Airframe hours: 2434 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James P. Fletcher - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1996, 25 hours before - Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL - Destination: PNS - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PNS, Pensacola Regional, runway 26, 4,700 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 32 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PNS ## 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 19961210040959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961210040959A), Dec 10, 1996: Piper PA22150, Pensacola, FL, Minor damage. Narrative: after landing pns rwy 26, pilot stated after reducing power he felt aircraft encountered gusty cross-wind and he attempted to correct. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N6955D (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 ATL01LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA066), Jun 6, 2001: Piper PA-22-150 (N6955D), Pomaria, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper operation of the flight controls while attempting a takeoff from an unimproved surface. A factor was rough and uneven terrain. 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.