# NTSB SEA01LA124: Piper PA-22, N3251Z, Lewistown, MT, July 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 2001, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lewistown, MT - Coordinates: 47.009952, -109.339187 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0100&lon=-109.3392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52687/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA124 ## Probable cause Pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft while landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command - stall/mush - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after departure the airplane settled back on to the runway. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane back into the air; however, the airplane again began to settle back toward the runway and the pilot aborted the takeoff. He reported that when the aircraft touched down, it veered to the right. The pilot stated that when he applied brakes, the airplane "spun around" and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in a wheat field adjacent the departure runway. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 2001, about 1230 Mountain daylight time, a tail wheel-equipped Piper PA-22, N3251Z, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from Lewistown Municipal Airport, Lewistown, Montana. The airplane is registered to the pilot and was being operated as a personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, and the one passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. The pilot submitted a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board dated July 9, and reported that shortly after departure the airplane settled back on to the runway. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane back into the air; however, the airplane again began to settle back toward the runway and the pilot aborted the takeoff. He reported that when the aircraft touched down, it veered to the right of runway centerline. The pilot stated that when he applied brakes, the airplane "spun around" and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in a wheat field adjacent to the departure runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3251Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3251Z), registered now, S/N 22-7199, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - 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: 22-7199 - Airframe hours: 1981 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert W. Garniss - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2001 - Departed: LWT, LEWISTOWN, MT - Destination: LWT, Lewistown, MT - Airport: LWT, Lewistown Muni, runway 25, 6,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 26, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 17 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 17 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: lwt ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20010701015699I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010701015699I), Jul 1, 2001: Piper PA22150, Lewistown, MT, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he elected to abort takeoff shortly after lift-off, lost directional control during rollout. Aircraft departed runway, collapsing left… ## Other investigations on N3251Z (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 ANC20CA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA087), Aug 22, 2020: Piper PA22 (N3251Z), Lake Louise, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to takeoff in shifting winds from a remote unimproved gravel bar, which resulted in a failure to attain an airspeed suitable for flight and a loss of control. 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.