Piper PA-22-150 N1829P accident, Mead, WA, Sep 1, 2005 · NTSB SEA05LA185

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.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding

Landing gear,tailwheel assembly - disconnectedCause

Directional control - not possiblePilot in commandFactor

On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll

Terrain condition - bermFactor

Analysis

The pilot reported that shortly after touchdown (three-point landing) the airplane developed a significant vibration/shimmy emanating from the area of the tailwheel. He reported that immediately after the onset of the vibration the airplane began to "pull to the right." The pilot applied corrective actions, however the airplane continued to track to the right and exited the runway edge. After exiting the runway, the airplane collided with a berm and ground looped. The pilot reported that a post accident examination of the tailwheel assembly revealed that the left control spring was disconnected. The pilot further stated that he believed the control spring become disconnected as a result of the shimmy during landing.

Factual narrative

On August 31, 2005, about 1840 Pacific daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Piper PA-22-150, N1829P, sustained substantial damage during the landing rollout at the Mead Flying Service Airport (S70), Mead, Washington. The airplane is registered to the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated at Hoskins Field Airport, Olympia, Washington, about 2 hours and 30 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, the pilot reported that shortly after touchdown (three-point landing) the airplane developed a significant vibration/shimmy emanating from the area of the tailwheel. He reported that immediately after the onset of the vibration the airplane began to "pull to the right." The pilot applied corrective actions (full left rudder and braking action), however the airplane continued to track to the right and exited the runway edge. After exiting the runway, the airplane collided with a berm and ground looped. During the ground loop, the left wing and tail made ground contact resulting in substantial damage.

The pilot reported that a post accident examination of the tailwheel assembly revealed that the left control spring was disconnected. The pilot further stated that he believed the control spring become disconnected as a result of the shimmy during landing.

Aircraft

Registration: N1829P
Reported as: Piper PA-22-150
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 22-2609
Airframe hours: 2,051
Engine: Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: Dennis J. Carlson
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: Annual · February 1, 2005 · 58 hours before
Departed: 44T · Olympia, WA
Destination: 70S · Mead, WA
Flight plan: VFR
Airport: 70S · Mead Flying Service, runway 16, 2,500 × 30 ft, asphalt

N1829PRegistered now · Piper PA-22-150S/N 22-2609 · Built 1955 Airframe modelPiper PA-22-150 Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 53
Injuries: None
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review: October 1, 2004
Seat: Left
Flight hours: 217 total · 216 in this make and model · 173 as pilot in command · 43 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20050831023989APiper PA22150 · Davenport, WA(-23) Pilot reported that during landing roll-out, tail wheel shimmy became severe. Pilot could not maintain directional control. A/c departed runway during ensuing ground loop. A/c suffered damage to left wing spar, tail surfaces and aft fuselage twisted.Aug 31, 2005 · N1829P · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N1829P · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB SEA04LA086Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportShelton, WAThe 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.May 13, 2004 · Substantial damage