# NTSB WPR09LA408: Piper PA-22-150, N6038D, Tacoma, WA, August 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2009, 20:20 local (Aug 21, 2009, 03:20 UTC) - Place: Tacoma, WA - Coordinates: 47.267776, -122.578056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2678&lon=-122.5781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration Seattle FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74565 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA408 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74565/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74565 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA408 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare in crosswind conditions resulting in a gear leg collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing in crosswind conditions and was using a right wing low technique for the wheel landing. Shortly after touchdown he heard the right gear leg pop and the strut collapsed. The gear support structure and associated gearbox were substantially damaged. Post accident examination of the strut attachment fitting by a Safety Board metallurgist revealed that the fracture faces displayed features and deformations consistent with overstress separations. The metallurgist reported that no indications of preexisting cracking or corrosion were detected. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplanes flight control systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2009, about 2020 Pacific daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Piper PA-22-150, N6038D, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a main landing gear collapse during landing at Tacoma-Narrows Airport, Tacoma, Washington. The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to the pilot and operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The flight departed Paine Field, Everett, Washington, about 1915 with a planned destination of Tacoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that during a crosswind landing the right main landing gear strut collapsed. He added that shortly after the "right wing low" wheel landing, he heard the right "gear leg pop." The pilot stated that the winds were from 210 degrees at 8-12 knots and he was landing on runway 17. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the gear support structure and associated gearbox. The forward right landing gear strut attachment fitting was removed from the gear assembly and forwarded to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, DC, for examination. A Safety Board Senior Metallurgist examined the fitting and reported that the fracture faces displayed features and deformations consistent with overstress separations. The metallurgist reported that no indications of preexisting cracking or corrosion were detected. The Materials Laboratory Factual Report is included in the public docket for this accident. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplanes flight control systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6038D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6038D), registered now, S/N 22-4691, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-4691 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chris Meyer - Registered owner: Discovery Bay Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 2008 - Departed: KPAE, Everett, WA - Destination: KTIW, Tacoma, WA - Airport: TIW, Tacoma Narrows, runway 17, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 182 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KTIW ## 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 20090820014999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090820014999A), Aug 20, 2009: Piper PA22150, Tacoma, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 20, 2009 at 2046 PDT, a PA22 N6038D landed in a right crosswing at tiw, WA. The forward landing gear attach point broke away which lead to the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 26, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74565. 474 KB in all. - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 09-068 (item 1, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2009-068-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.