# NTSB SEA06CA157: Piggott Bearhawk, N347JP, Port Angeles, WA, August 5, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 5, 2006, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Port Angeles, WA - Coordinates: 48.020793, -123.819519 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0208&lon=-123.8195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64305/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA157 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control as a result of the disconnected tail wheel steering system, which led to an inadvertent ground loop during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,steering system - disconnected (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot said that he had done several stop-and-go landings; he then made a full stop for a respite. When he taxied out for his next departure on runway 08, he experienced no steering problems. As he took off, the airplane vibrated briefly. The pilot performed another landing and had a firm touchdown. He said the aircraft immediately veered left and full right rudder had no effect. He said that his feet had slipped off the aircraft's toe brakes during the landing, so differential braking was not possible. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and aileron were bent. Postaccident examination of the tail wheel assembly revealed that the clevis which connected the left tail wheel spring to the wheel's steering arm was missing. Additionally, serpentine skid marks where found on the runway that appeared to be the result of a tailwheel shimmy. The pilot reported that the wind during his first landing was from 350 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2006, at approximately 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Piggott Bearhawk experimental homebuilt airplane, N347JP, was substantially damaged during a ground loop event while landing at William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM), Port Angeles, Washington. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight which had originated approximately 5 minutes before the accident. The pilot had not filed a flight plan. The pilot said that he had done several stop-and-go landings; he then made a full stop for a respite. When he taxied out for his next departure on runway 08, he experienced no steering problems. As he took off, the airplane vibrated briefly. The pilot performed another landing and had a firm touch down. He said the aircraft immediately veered left and full right rudder had no effect. He said that his feet had slipped off the aircraft's toe brakes during the landing, so differential braking was not possible. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and aileron were bent. Postaccident examination of the tail wheel assembly revealed that the clevis which connected the left tail wheel spring to the wheel's steering arm was missing. Additionally, serpentine skid marks were found on the runway that appeared to be the result of a tail wheel shimmy. The pilot reported that the wind during his first landing was from 350 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N347JP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N347JP), registered now, S/N 347, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piggott Bearhawk - Registry model: [Piggott John H BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/piggott-john-h-bearhawk) (registry code 056132I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 347 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel E. Donovan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CLM, Port Angeles, WA - Destination: W28, Sequim, WA - Airport: CLM, Fairchild Inter Arpt, runway 08, 6,347 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 8,218 total, 4 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: CLM ## 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 20060805015029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060805015029A), Aug 5, 2006: Piggot BEARHAWK, Port Angeles, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was practicing touch & go's at sequim valley airport on the grass. The pilot stated that he had experienced two ground loops on the grass, with no… ## Other investigations on N347JP (2) 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 WPR21LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA120), Feb 27, 2021: Piggott John H Bearhawk (N347JP), Eatonville, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. - [NTSB WPR12CA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA388), Sep 2, 2012: Piggott John H Bearhawk (N347JP), Sequim, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. 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.