# NTSB WPR12CA354: Piper PA-22, N3580A, Napa, CA, August 12, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 12, 2012, 15:08 local (22:08 UTC) - Place: Napa, CA - Coordinates: 38.213054, -122.280555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2131&lon=-122.2806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84647 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA354 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84647/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84647 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA354 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a slight crab, it bounced upon touchdown. She was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane veered off of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a slight crab, it bounced on touchdown. She was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane veered off of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3580A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3580A), registered now, S/N 22-1855 (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: 22-1855 - Airframe hours: 1895 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brian Harkins - Registered owner: Brian Harkins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 2011, 30 hours before - Departed: APC, Napa, CA - Destination: APC, Napa, CA - Airport: APC, Napa County Airport, runway 18R, 5,931 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 24, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 15 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: APC ## 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 20120812020739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120812020739A), Aug 12, 2012: Piper PA-22, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. On August 12, 2012 at approximately 15:08 PDT, aircraft N3580A, a Piper PA-22, serial number 22-1855, was performing touch and go's on runway 18R at the Napa… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84647. 844 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 660 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376026&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.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.