Summary
On June 02, 2008, a Piper PA-22-135 (N8279C) was involved in an incident near Logan, UT. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was a crosswind wind gust.
The pilot reported that during the landing to runway 17, with winds from 200 degrees at five knots, gusting to 14 knots, the main landing gear settled to the runway and forward pressure was applied to the control to initiate a wheel landing. The pilot stated that just before the tail wheel settled to the surface, the airplane began to drift to the right of the runway centerline, and then swerve to the left, "triggered by a crosswind gust, use of brakes, or clumsy footwork on the rudder that retarded the left wheel." The airplane skidded to the left, which the pilot was unable to correct with right full rudder and aileron control. The airplane turned 180 degrees and exited the side of the runway into the soft dirt.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA08CA150. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8279C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was a crosswind wind gust.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing to runway 17, with winds from 200 degrees at five knots, gusting to 14 knots, the main landing gear settled to the runway and forward pressure was applied to the control to initiate a wheel landing. The pilot stated that just before the tail wheel settled to the surface, the airplane began to drift to the right of the runway centerline, and then swerve to the left, "triggered by a crosswind gust, use of brakes, or clumsy footwork on the rudder that retarded the left wheel." The airplane skidded to the left, which the pilot was unable to correct with right full rudder and aileron control. The airplane turned 180 degrees and exited the side of the runway into the soft dirt. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing and right elevator contacted the surface and were substantially damaged. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction to the airplane was reported.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA08CA150