Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA12CA350

Norwich, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N3956P

PIPER PA-22-150

Analysis

About 400 feet into the third landing roll, the airplane began pulling to the left. The pilot corrected to the right using the rudder, and the airplane ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane’s left tire was deflated. Fragments of the tire and skid marks were observed on the runway. The pilot reported that the windsock at the accident airport indicated light wind from the south around the time of the accident. The cause of the deflated tire could not be determined.

Factual Information

According to the pilot, the flight was to accomplish a biennial flight review. During the third landing, approximately 400 feet into the landing rollout, the aircraft began pulling to the left. The pilot applied correction to the right utilizing the rudder, and the airplane ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. After the airplane came to rest and the occupants exited the airplane, the left tire was noted as deflated and fragments of the tire were observed on the runway as well as skid marks. The wind around the time of the accident, at an airport 29 miles from the accident location was recorded as calm; the pilot reported that he had observed the windsock and it had indicated light winds from the south at the accident airport around the time of the accident. The cause of the deflated tire could not be determined.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during a landing with a deflated left main landing gear tire.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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