- Date
- November 1, 2008, 17:30 local (Nov 2, 2008, 00:30 UTC)
- Place
- San Manuel, AZ
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N2468APiper PA-22-135
- Defining event
- Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 24, 2008
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20081101852559A
- Case key
- 69388
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral aircraft control that resulted in collision with terrain during landing.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings.
Analysis
The pilot was attempting to perform a soft-field landing, had full flaps selected, and was managing the descent with the throttle control. As the airplane transitioned to short final, it was configured in a nose-high stabilized approach with full flaps. The pilot added right rudder in attempt to gain visibility out the window straight ahead. With the airplane about 20 to 30 feet above ground level (agl) and 100 feet from the threshold, the pilot applied power to arrest the descent. The increase in power in combination with the rudder input resulted in the airplane's left wing contacting the ground. The pilot further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.
Factual narrative
In a written statement, the pilot reported that as the airplane was about 3 miles from the destination airport, he configured for landing by adding full flaps. He opted to perform a soft-field landing for the purpose of practice and began managing the descent with the throttle control. As the airplane transitioned to short final, it was configured in a nose-high stabilized approach. With the airplane 150 feet from the runway threshold, the pilot added right rudder in attempt to gain visibility out the window straight ahead. As the airplane was 20 to 30 feet above ground level (agl) and 100 feet from the threshold, the pilot applied power to arrest the descent. The increase in power, in combination with the rudder input, resulted in the airplane's left wing contacting the ground. In the section titled "RECOMMENDATION" in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that the application of rudder while adding full power created enough instability to drop the wing. The pilot further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2468A
- Reported as
- Piper PA-22-135
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 22-805
- Airframe hours
- 5,125
- Engine
- Lycoming 0-290 SERIES, 140 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Anasazi Design Services, LLC.
- Registered owner
- Anasazi Design Services, LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 22, 2007 · 30 hours before
- Departed
- CHD · Chandler, AZ
- Destination
- E77 · San Manuel, AZ
- Airport
- E77 · San Manuel Airport, runway 11, 4,200 × 75 ft
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 49
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 299 total · 80 in this make and model · 232 as pilot in command · 1 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 84 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.95 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.