# NTSB SEA90LA114: Piper PA-22-160, N9993D, Sitka, AK, June 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1990, 11:02 local (19:02 UTC)
- Place: Sitka, AK
- Coordinates: 56.730434, -134.999954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7304&lon=-135.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA114

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE CROSSWIND CONDITION WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO 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 - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE APPROACHING THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF A CROSSWIND CONDITION. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT LIFTED THE RIGHT WING AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST OFF THE RUNWAY, FACING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9993D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9993D), registered now, S/N 22-6786, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6786
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William R. Overbay
- Departed: WRG, WRANGELL, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SIT, Sitka, runway 11, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 471 total, 471 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SIT

## 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 19900628022879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900628022879A), Jun 28, 1990: Piper PA22160, Sitka, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped landing in gusty crosswind.

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.

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