# NTSB WPR11CA235: Piper PA-22-160, N8712D, Yakima, WA, May 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2011, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Yakima, WA - Coordinates: 46.567501, -120.539718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5675&lon=-120.5397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Spokane FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79215 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79215/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79215 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA235 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control upon landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was returning to land when, upon touchdown, a gust of wind lifted his left wing. Despite his control inputs the airplane ground-looped. At the time of the accident, the wind at the accident airport was reported to be from 240 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was returning to land from a student cross country flight. Upon touchdown, he reported that a gust of wind lifted his left wing; despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane ground looped. At the time of the accident, the accident airport reported winds from 240 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8712D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8712D), registered now, S/N 22-5893, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-5893 - Airframe hours: 3062 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hagedorn J., Matthew - Registered owner: Hagedorn J., Matthew - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 2010, 33 hours before - Departed: KRDM, Redmond, OR - Destination: KYKM, Yakima, WA - Airport: KYKM, Yakima/McCallister Field, runway 27, 7,604 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; student, flight instructor; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 243 total, 34 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KYKM ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79215. 590 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.