# NTSB SEA98LA051: Piper PA-22, N1770A, Kalispell, MT, March 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 1998, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Kalispell, MT - Coordinates: 48.190444, -114.379089 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1904&lon=-114.3791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42766/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA051 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate crosswind correction during landing. A factor was a crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was landing with a left crosswind. He reported that while landing the airplane, which had been modified with a tailwheel installation and a short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) modification, he did not keep full left aileron in. He stated that when he relaxed wheel input, the wind picked up his left wing, at which point the right main landing gear folded and the right wing struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 1998, approximately 0930 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-22, N1770A, ground looped while practicing landings at Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell, Montana. The airplane's main landing gear collapsed and its right wing was substantially damaged in the ground loop, and the private pilot-in-command and one passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local 14 CFR 91 flight out of Glacier Park International, and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane, which was originally manufactured with tricycle landing gear, had been converted to a tailwheel landing gear configuration in accordance with Univair's FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) number SA45RM. The airplane also had a Crosswinds short takeoff and landing (STOL) modification installed (FAA STC number SA545AL.). The pilot reported that during a crosswind landing on runway 20, he did not keep full left aileron in. He stated that when he relaxed the wheel input, the wind picked up his left wing, at which point the aircraft's right main landing gear folded and the right wing and propeller struck the ground. The pilot reported that no mechanical failure or malfunction was involved in the accident. Winds at Glacier Park International at 0856 were reported by the airport's automated surface observation system (ASOS) as being from 150 degrees at 7 knots, and were reported as being from 130 degrees at 12 knots at 0956. Runway 20 is an 8,000 by 150 foot asphalt and porous friction coated runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1770A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1770A-2017-02-16), registration cancelled 2017-02-16, S/N 22-503, built 1952 (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: 22-503 - Airframe hours: 2777 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles B. Allen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1997, 96 hours before - Departed: FCA - Airport: FCA, Glacier Park Intl, runway 20, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 390 total, 12 in this make and model, 369 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FCA ## 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 19980324008469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980324008469A), Mar 24, 1998: Piper PA22, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Ground looped during touch and go. Collapsed right main gear. Damaged wing PA22 had been converted to tail wheel. (.4)the pilot was landing with a left… 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.