# NTSB MKC90LA132: Piper PA-36-400, N57706, Altheimer, AR, June 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1990, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Altheimer, AR
- Coordinates: 34.309722, -91.840545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3097&lon=-91.8405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA132

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE LANDING WITH A TAILWIND. COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS NOT CONSIDERED AND SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY.

## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND DOWN WIND ON A PRIVATE SOD STRIP, DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE COMMERCIAL PILOT LOST DIRECTION CONTROL, GROUND-LOOPED, THEN VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL WITH BRAKING, BUT FELT THAT HE HAD NO BRAKES. INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY BRAKE MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57706](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57706-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 36-7660032 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7660032
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ag Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 926 total, 98 in this make and model, 810 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900616023859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900616023859A), Jun 16, 1990: Piper PA36285, Altheimer, AR, Substantial damage. Landing downwind on private strip. Ground looped. Left runway. Nosed over. Blamed no brakes. Not verified.

## Other investigations on N57706 (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 CEN10CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA454), Jul 29, 2010: Piper PA-36-285 (N57706), Petersburg, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a signpost during an aerial application flight.

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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