# NTSB WPR21LA159: Piper PA22, N3023M, Pullman, WA, April 15, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 14, 2021, 18:30 local (Apr 15, 2021, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Pullman, WA - Coordinates: 46.74554, -117.16503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7455&lon=-117.1650&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102923 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102923/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA159 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxiing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. ## 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-22-135, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102206), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he had completed touch-and-go landings and had planned to make a full-stop taxi back to the departure end of the runway. While taxiing, the left wing was lifted by a gust of wind and the right wing contacted the ground. The pilot closed the throttle, applied full left rudder, full back pressure on the elevator and tapped the brakes. Despite his actions, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane nosed over. Both wing struts were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3023M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3023M-2023-01-14), registration cancelled 2023-01-14, S/N 22-1827, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-1827 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Pullman, WA - Destination: Pullman, WA - Airport: PUW, Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2020; seat: front; flight hours: 2,625 total, 14 in this make and model, 2,625 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 60 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KPUW, 2 nm away - METAR: KPUW 160153Z AUTO 11011KT 10SM CLR 16/M03 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP204 T01561033 ## 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 20210414003689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210414003689A), Apr 14, 2021: Piper PA-22-135, Pullman, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing in farm field approximately 2 nautical miles west of Pullman airport. Pilot reported he was turning right to line up to take off, when a gust… 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.