# NTSB SEA97LA018: Piper PA-22-150, N3461A, Ogden, UT, October 21, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1996, 15:21 local (21:21 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.310489, -111.960235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3105&lon=-111.9602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA018

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, while landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground swerve.  The crosswind was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped Piper did not maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing in a crosswind. The airplane departed the runway on the left side, and the right main landing gear collapsed, causing substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On October 21, 1996, approximately 1521 mountain daylight time, N3461A, a Piper PA-22, sustained substantial damage when the main landing gear collapsed after the pilot lost directional control while landing.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured.  No flight plan was filed for the flight, which had originated from Ogden, Utah.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  There was no report of the ELT actuating.

On touchdown on runway 3, approximately 1600 feet from the approach end, the right wing was observed to be high.  The aircraft leveled out and skidded off the left side of the runway.  Winds at the time were about 310 degrees at 10 knots.  According to the pilot's written statement, on landing rollout the aircraft started to veer to the left; right rudder and brake were applied, the right landing gear failed, and the aircraft slid to a stop on the left side of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3461A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3461A), registered now, S/N 22-1735, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150
- 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: 22-1735
- Airframe hours: 2880
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J Boydston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1996, 16 hours before
- Departed: OGD
- Airport: OGD, Ogden Municipal, runway 3, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,022 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,922 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KOG

## 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 19961021035679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961021035679A), Oct 21, 1996: Piper PA22150, Ogden, UT, Substantial damage. Weathervaned into left crosswind landing. Side loading collapsed right main landing gear. Incorrect control inputs.

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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