# NTSB SEA95LA075: Piper PA-22, N8276C, Klamath Falls, OR, April 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 1995, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Klamath Falls, OR - Coordinates: 42.309139, -122.070571 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3091&lon=-122.0706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42130 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42130/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA075 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT, DURING TAKEOFF IN A PIPER PA-22 WHICH HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO TAILWHEEL CONFIGURATION, HE WAS HOLDING THE YOKE ALL THE WAY BACK WHILE ADDING POWER. AS THE AIRPLANE'S SPEED INCREASED, THE PILOT MOVED THE YOKE FORWARD TO RAISE THE TAIL. BEFORE THE TAIL ROSE, THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT ON THE RUNWAY, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT TOLD AN FAA INSPECTOR THAT HE HAD APPLIED FULL RUDDER IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE GROUND LOOP. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 1995, at 1445 hours Pacific daylight time, N8276C, a Piper PA-22 airplane with a tailwheel conversion, ground looped on takeoff in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, the pilot stated that he held the control yoke all the way back while adding power for takeoff from runway 13 at the Klamath Falls International Airport. As the speed of the airplane increased, the pilot moved the yoke forward to raise the tail. Before the tail rose, the airplane ground looped to the left. The pilot also stated that he applied full rudder and no brakes in an attempt to prevent the ground loop. The left side of the fuselage and firewall structure were bent. An examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector did not reveal evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8276C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8276C-2008-09-03), registration cancelled 2008-09-03, S/N 22-2352, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-2352 - Airframe hours: 4042 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Versterate, David W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1995, 21 hours before - Destination: S50, AUBURN, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: LMT, Klamath Falls Int., runway 14, 10,301 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 906 total, 135 in this make and model, 803 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots, gusting 8 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LMT ## 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 19950402009289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950402009289A), Apr 2, 1995: Piper PA22, Klamath Falls, OR, Substantial damage. Lost directional control when tail came up on intial takeoff roll. Ground looped to left. P factor contributed. ## Other investigations on N8276C (3) 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 SEA05CA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA186), Sep 5, 2005: Piper PA-22 (20) (N8276C), McCall, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff. A wire fence was a factor in the accident. - [NTSB SEA79DYM13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79DYM13), Jan 28, 1979: Piper PA-22 (N8276C), Dufur, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA67D0279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0279), Feb 21, 1967: Piper PA-22 (N8276C), Silver Lake, OR, substantial damage 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.