N5735H

Substantial
None

PIPER PA 16S/N: 16-347

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA15CA114
Location
Tollville, AR
Event ID
20150610X05937
Coordinates
34.712776, -91.529724
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, which resulted in the airplane impacting a rice field and nosing over.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N5735H
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
16-347
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1949
Model / ICAO
PA 16M600
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SICKEL MASON L
Address
2583 HIGHWAY 86 E
Status
Deregistered
City
DEVALLS BLUFF
State / Zip Code
AR 72041-9953
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that while on short final to the unlit airstrip; during the flare, he lost sight of the runway and the airplane veered to the right, impacted a rice field, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and lift strut.

The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation

The pilot stated that the accident may have been mitigated if he would have landed on a lit runway and conducted a wheel landing instead of a three point landing, which would have allowed him to maintain a visual of the runway until his main wheels where on the ground.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA114