# NTSB SEA05LA185: Piper PA-22-150, N1829P, Mead, WA, September 1, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2005, 18:40 local (Sep 1, 2005, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Mead, WA - Coordinates: 47.829692, -117.210472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8297&lon=-117.2105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Spokane, Washington - NTSB case key (mKey): 62370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - disconnected (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1829P), registered now, S/N 22-2609, built 1955 (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: 22-2609 - Airframe hours: 2051 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050831023989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050831023989A), Aug 31, 2005: Piper PA22150, Davenport, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that during landing roll-out, tail wheel shimmy became severe. Pilot could not maintain directional control. A/c departed runway during… ## 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 SEA04LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA086), May 13, 2004: Piper PA-22-20 (N1829P), Shelton, WA, substantial damage. 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… 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.