Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft. A factor to the accident was the pocket gopher mound in the wheat field.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 13, 2000, at 0930 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N8136D, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft nosed over during the landing roll on runway 11 (3,498 feet by 75 feet, dry pavement) at the Olivia Regional Airport (Y39), Olivia, Minnesota. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight departed Y39 at 0750.
In a written statement, the pilot stated, "Skidded off runway rather than abruptly correcting problem I felt it would be safer to let aircraft coast into wheat field and then stop when all of the sudden nose wheel struck pocket gopher mound collapsing nose wheel and flipping aircraft over on back."
A postaccident examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no pre-existing anomalies with the aircraft.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI00LA194