# NTSB SEA08CA102: Piper PA-22/20, N1139C, Three Forks, MT, April 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2008, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Three Forks, MT - Coordinates: 45.882499, -111.563888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8825&lon=-111.5639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67762/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA102 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing. A gusting crosswind was a contributing factor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing the tailwheel equipped airplane in a crosswind on runway 20 and reported that during the landing roll, "...a sudden gust from the west lifted the right wing and landing gear." As the pilot attempted to correct the situation, the airplane's left main landing gear strut collapsed, and the left wing struck the runway surface. The airplane received structural damage to left wing and fuselage. The wind at the time of the accident was from 110 degrees at 10 knots. No mechanical malfunctions were reported. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was landing the tail-wheel equipped airplane in a crosswind on runway 20. The pilot reported that during the landing rollout "...a sudden gust from the west lifted the right wing and landing gear." As the pilot attempted to correct the situation, the airplane's left main landing gear strut collapsed and the left wing struck the runway surface. The airplane received structural damage to left wing and fuselage. The wind at the time of the accident was from 110 degrees at 10 knots. No mechanical malfunctions were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1139C (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22/20 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-975 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas S. Cairns - Registered owner: Douglas S. Cairns - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 8U8, Townsend, MT - Destination: 9S5, Three Forks, MT - Airport: 9S5, Three Forks, runway 20, 5,100 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 440 total, 70 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 10 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: 9S5, 4 nm away ## 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 20080403014119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080403014119A), Apr 3, 2008: Piper PA22, Three Forks, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 3, 2008, at 1705 MDT, a Piper PA-22 with conventional landing gear conversion, N1139C, registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] ground… 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.