# NTSB SEA04LA086: Piper PA-22-20, N1829P, Shelton, WA, May 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2004, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Shelton, WA - Coordinates: 47.233612, -123.147499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2336&lon=-123.1475&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59241 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59241/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA086 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during landing. Factors include a crosswind, fracture/collapse of the landing gear hydrasorb and an improper weld on the landing gear assembly. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear strut - fractured (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear strut - improper/poor weld (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing wheel landings in preparation for a check ride. He stated the touchdown was normal, however, shortly after landing (runway 05) the airplane swerved to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the situation using a combination of power and rudder inputs, but was unable to regain control of the airplane before it exited the runway (on to a paved surface adjacent to the runway). Shortly after exiting the runway, the airplane "snapped" to the right. Post-accident examination of the right main landing gear and hydrasorb assembly installed on the airplane, revealed that one of the ears on the lower fitting assembly (used to support the shock cord) fractured and separated from the main strut assembly. Further examination of the assembly revealed that the lower strut fitting had been welded to the strut assembly. The assembly consists of a lower strut fitting, an upper strut fitting and the hydrasorb unit. The lower strut fitting rests on the end of the hydrasorb and is held in place via the shock cord. The 1656 Shelton METAR observation reported weather conditions, in part, as: wind from 260 degrees at 12 knots; visibility 10 statute miles and clear skies. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2004, about 1645 Pacific daylight time, a tail wheel equipped Piper PA-22-20, N1829P, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a gear collapse during landing at Sanderson Field (SHN), Shelton, Washington. The airplane is registered to the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at Shelton approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, the pilot reported that he was practicing landings (wheel landings) in preparation for a check ride. He stated the touchdown was normal, however, shortly after landing (runway 05) the airplane swerved to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the situation using a combination of power and rudder inputs, but was unable to regain control of the airplane before it exited the runway (on to a paved surface adjacent to the runway). Shortly after exiting the runway, the airplane "snapped" to the right. The 1656 Shelton METAR observation reported weather conditions, in part, as: wind from 260 degrees at 10 knots; visibility 10 statute miles and clear skies. Post-accident examination of the right main landing gear and hydrasorb assembly installed on the airplane, revealed that one of the ears on the lower fitting assembly (used to support the shock cord) fractured and separated from the main strut assembly. Further examination of the gear assembly revealed that the lower support ear had been welded directly to the lower (distal) end of the strut assembly (refer to enclosed photos). The hydrasorb assembly (part number13148-00) for the PA-22 (and PA-22-20) consists of a lower strut fitting, an upper strut fitting and the hydrasorb unit (illustrated parts catalog attached). The lower strut fitting rests on the end of the hydrasorb and is held in place via the shock cord. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1829P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1829P), registered now, S/N 22-2609, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-20 - 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: 22-2609 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dennis J. Carlson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SHN, SHELTON, WA - Destination: SHN - Airport: SHN, Sanderson Field, runway 05, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 96 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KSHN ## 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 20040513014479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040513014479A), May 13, 2004: Piper PA22150, Shelton, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot conducting practice landings in preparation for private checkride. On touchdown the aircraft veered to the left, then hard to the right… ## Other investigations on N1829P (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 SEA05LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA185), Sep 1, 2005: Piper PA-22-150 (N1829P), Mead, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Separation of the tailwheel assembly spring resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with a berm. The berm was a factor in the accident. 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.