# NTSB MKC89LA203: Piper PA-22-108, N5303Z, North Omaha, NE, September 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1989, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: North Omaha, NE
- Coordinates: 41.300388, -96.049766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3004&lon=-96.0498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA203

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO MAKE A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - soft
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PVT PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD PRACTICED A SIMULATED FORCED LDG ON A FRIEND'S FARM FIELD. AFTER LDG, SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF WERE ABORTED AS IT APPEARED HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES AT THE END OF THE FIELD. A DIFFERENT PATH WAS CHOSEN ON THE LAST ATTEMPT, AND DURING THE TAKOEFF ROLL, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT AN OBJECT PITCHING THE ACFT TO THE LEFT, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR, AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT SAID THAT THE TERRAIN WAS SOFT, BUT DRY AND ROUGH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5303Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5303Z-1989-11-21), registration cancelled 1989-11-21, S/N 229006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-9006
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hamer, Paul F.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: AHQ, WAHOO, NE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 135 total, 70 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: OMA, 10 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 19890930040659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890930040659A), Sep 30, 1989: Piper PA22108, Gretna, NE, Substantial damage. Landed in a field on friends farm. Gear collapsed on takeoff attempt after striking an object. Aircraft nosed over.

## Other investigations on N5303Z (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 MIA71FKJ50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FKJ50), Apr 24, 1971: Piper PA-22 (N5303Z), Pell City, AL, 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.