# NTSB NYC03LA071: Piper PA-22-150, N2968Z, Columbus, OH, March 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 2003, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Columbus, OH - Coordinates: 39.901111, -83.136665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9011&lon=-83.1367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-07 - NTSB case key (mKey): 56674 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56674/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA071 ## Probable cause The pilot under instruction's failure to maintain directional control, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - directional control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing flight instruction to the private pilot/owner of the tail-wheeled airplane. The CFI stated that the private pilot began the takeoff roll from the 5,500-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane was almost at takeoff speed when it began to veer to the right. The CFI took control of the airplane, and attempted to correct; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and ground-looped. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. Examination of the runway revealed a tire mark began about 350 feet from the beginning of the runway. A second parallel tire mark began to the left of the first tire mark, about 675 feet from the beginning of the runway, and both tire marks continued to the accident site. The airplane came to rest in a grass area, approximately 1,132 feet from the beginning of the runway. Both pilots were unsure if the private pilot had his feet positioned on the rudder pedals in such a way that he inadvertently applied brakes during the takeoff. Winds at the time of the accident were calm. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 2003, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N2968Z, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Bolton Field (TZR), Columbus, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), a private pilot, and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Anderson Regional Airport (AND), Anderson, South Carolina. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, the tail-wheeled airplane was recently purchased by the private pilot, who was also his brother-in-law. The private pilot had not flown regularly since 1983, and the CFI provided the private pilot flight instruction in the airplane, the day before the accident. During the accident flight, the CFI stated the private pilot began the takeoff roll from runway 22, a 5,500-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane was almost at takeoff speed when it began to veer to the right. The CFI took control of the airplane, and attempted to correct; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and ground-looped. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. The CFI stated that they did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He also said the takeoff was attempted with "very little wind." Winds reported at the airport, at 1525, were calm. Examination of the runway by the Ohio State Highway Patrol revealed a tire mark began about 350 feet from the beginning of runway 22. A second parallel tire mark began to the left of the first tire mark, about 675 feet from the beginning of the runway, and both tire marks continued to the accident site. The airplane came to rest in a grass area, approximately 1,132 feet from the beginning of the runway. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, both pilots were unsure if the private pilot had his feet positioned on the rudder pedals in such a way that he inadvertently applied brakes during the takeoff roll. The CFI and private pilot reported 600 and 280 hours of flight experience in make and model; respectively. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2968Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2968Z), registered now, S/N 22-6943, built 1959 (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: 22-6943 - Airframe hours: 2618 - Engines: Lycoming 0320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terry T. Kuebler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2002, 5 hours before - Departed: TZR, Columbus, OH - Destination: AND, ANDERSON, SC - Airport: TZR, Bolton Field Airport, runway 22, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 4, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 27,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 280 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: TZN ## 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 20030323004129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030323004129A), Mar 23, 2003: Piper PA22150, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Departing runway 22 at Bolton field (tzr) the pilot, Mr. Kuebler, advanced power and according to the flight instructor, Mr. Ellett, the take-off seemed… ## Other investigations on N2968Z (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 NYC00LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA228), Aug 14, 2000: Piper PA-22-150 (N2968Z), Columbus, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. 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.