# NTSB SEA99LA103: Piper PA-22, N3513A, Billings, MT, July 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1999, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Billings, MT - Coordinates: 45.649848, -108.380798 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6498&lon=-108.3808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 10, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46731/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA103 ## Probable cause The separation of the left main landing gear shock strut for undetermined reasons. ## Analysis The pilot reported that upon touchdown the aircraft began to drift left, and right rudder was applied to correct with no effect. As the drift continued, the pilot applied right brake, increasing brake pressure until he 'was pushing against the seat.' The aircraft continued to veer left, tightening its turn radius until it had rotated more than 180 degrees counter-clockwise. During the rotation, the aircraft settled to the left in line with the runway lights and came to a stop. Post-crash examination by a certified mechanic revealed that the left main landing gear shock strut tube had separated at its attach point to the left main wheel assembly. This would have allowed the release of the left main landing gear, permitting it to pivot into a flat (collapsed) position. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1999, approximately 1445 mountain daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Piper PA-22, N3513A, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during the collapse of the left main landing gear on landing rollout at the Billings International Airport, Billings, Montana. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Helena, Montana, at 1234. The pilot reported that upon touchdown on runway 28R the aircraft began to drift left, and right rudder was applied to correct with no effect. As the drift continued, the pilot applied right brake, increasing brake pressure until he "was pushing against the seat." The aircraft continued to veer left, tightening its turn radius until it had rotated more than 180 degrees counter-clockwise. During the rotation, the aircraft settled to the left in line with the runway lights and came to a stop. The pilot and passenger exited and noted the left main landing gear separated from its bungee (shock strut,) but still attached to the airframe. Post-crash examination by an IA certified mechanic revealed that the left main landing gear shock strut tube had separated at its attach point to the left main wheel assembly (refer to DIAGRAM I). This would have allowed the release of the left main landing gear, permitting it to pivot into a flat (collapsed) position. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - separation (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3513A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3513A), registered now, S/N 22-1785 (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: 22-1785 - Airframe hours: 2480 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chadwick, Thomas, K. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1998, 99 hours before - Departed: HLN, HELENA, MT - Destination: BIL - Airport: BIL, Billings Logan Internatio, runway 28R, 10,528 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 569 total, 400 in this make and model, 520 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BIL ## 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 19990701007989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990701007989A), Jul 1, 1999: Piper PA22, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on landing and sustained substantial damage, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on July 1, 1999, approximately 1445 mountain daylight time, a… 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.