# NTSB MIA97LA235: Piper PA-22-20, N5713Z, Villa Rica, GA, August 17, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1997, 20:14 local (Aug 17, 1997, 00:14 UTC)
- Place: Villa Rica, GA
- Coordinates: 33.729095, -84.920951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7291&lon=-84.9210&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 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA235

## Probable cause

Inadequate runway maintenance by the pilot for allowing trees to be in close proximity of the runway and failure to maintain clearance from the trees.

## 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
  - other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that while landing on his own runway, he drifted off the left side of the mowed runway surface and as a result, the left wing collided with trees that borders the runway.

## Factual narrative

On August 16, 1997, about 2014 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-20, N57132, registered to a private individual, collided with trees during the landing roll at a private airstrip  at Villa Rica, Georgia.  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, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated about 1950 from the West Georgia Regional Airport, Carrollton, Georgia.

The pilot stated that while landing on his own runway behind his house, after touchdown during the landing roll, the airplane drifted to the left off the prepared runway surface and as a result, the left wing contacted small pine trees which borders the runway.  The airplane then veered to the left and collided with the trees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5713Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5713Z-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 22-9552, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-9552
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce E. Laird Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1997
- Departed: CTJ, CARROLLTON, GA
- Airport: Lucky Lairds, runway 24, 1,000 × 15 ft, grass/turf

## 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: 650 total, 432 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## 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 19970816022589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970816022589A), Aug 16, 1997: Piper PA22108, Villa Rica, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on private grass strip, lost control, ran off strip, hit pine trees. (.4)the pilot stated that while Landing on his own runway, he drifted off…

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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