# NTSB NYC08CA283: Piper PA-22-160, N8906D, Cleveland, GA, August 15, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2008, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, GA
- Coordinates: 34.561668, -83.713333
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5617&lon=-83.7133&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA283

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to land with a tailwind, and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the tailwind.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the PA-22-160 overflew the airport in preparation for landing, and observed the windsock, which he reported was "flat." He entered the traffic pattern for runway 17 on the downwind leg, trimmed the airplane for 80 miles per hour (mph), and added one notch of flaps. Runway 17 was 2,500 feet long, 200 feet wide, and consisted of turf. The pilot maintained 70 mph on final approach, and as the airplane touched down on the runway, he immediately applied the brakes and the airplane began to skid. As the airplane approached a fence at the end of the runway, the pilot steered the airplane off the right side. During the turn, the nose gear collapsed, the airplane ground looped, and then flipped over. The pilot reported 264 total hours of flight experience, 123 of which were in the accident airplane make and model. He also reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. According to both of the passengers, the pilot landed "too fast" and with a tailwind. The winds reported at the nearest airport, 19 miles to the south, were from 260 degrees at 11 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the PA-22-160 overflew the airport in preparation for landing, and observed the windsock, which he reported was "flat." He entered the traffic pattern for runway 17 on the downwind leg, trimmed the airplane for 80 miles per hour (mph), and added one notch of flaps. Runway 17 was 2,500 feet long, 200 feet wide, and consisted of turf. The pilot maintained 70 mph on final approach, and as the airplane touched down on the runway, he immediately applied the brakes and the airplane began to skid. As the airplane approached a fence at the end of the runway, the pilot steered the airplane off the right side. During the turn, the nose gear collapsed, the airplane ground looped, and then flipped over. The pilot reported 264 total hours of flight experience, 123 of which were in the accident airplane make and model. He also reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. According to both of the passengers, the pilot landed "too fast" and with a tailwind. The winds reported at the nearest airport, 19 miles to the south, were from 260 degrees at 11 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8906D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8906D-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 22-6061, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6061
- Airframe hours: 2930
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Cunningham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008
- Departed: M54, Lebanon, TN
- Destination: 0GE5, Cleveland, GA
- Airport: 0GE5, Mountain Airpark, runway 18, 2,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 264 total, 123 in this make and model, 228 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: GVL, 19 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 20080815855559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080815855559A), Aug 15, 2008: Piper PA22160, Cleveland, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 08/15/2008 [privacy data omitted] while landing at Mountain park airport (0GE5) in Cleveland, Georgia on runway 17 stated that he was high at the…

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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