Piper PA-22-135 N1244C
31 March 1999 · Novato, California, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 31 March 1999 at about 22:35 local time, a Piper PA-22-135 registered N1244C, operated by John Long, was involved in an accident near Novato, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Novato, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Gnoss Field (O56)
- Coordinates
- 38.1000, -122.6294
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-135
- Registration
- N1244C
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- John Long
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Sonoma → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX99LA135
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the wind conditions and to maintain directional control of the aircraft while landing. A factor is the airport's failure to follow proper procedure in ensuring adequate obstacle and object free clearance around the runway.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot stated that he was landing with a left quartering headwind. He reported that the touchdown was normal, but as he lowered the tail wheel, the aircraft weathervaned to the left into the wind. He applied full right pedal and initiated a go-around. The aircraft left the ground, turned downwind and lost lift. The airplane impacted the drainage ditch area parallel to the runway. There are drainage ditches and levees spanning the entire length on both sides of the runway. The ditches are approximately 6 to 8 feet deep and 12 feet wide, and are about 90 feet from the runway centerline. The levees are approximately 20 feet beyond the ditches. FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5300-13, regarding runway and taxiway design, indicates the Object Free Area for the accident airport to be 200 feet on either side of the runway centerline. The AC requires the Obstacle Free Zone to be 125 feet on each side of the runway centerline, and states that obstacles within that zone cannot be higher than 3 inches above grade; the sides of the ditches and levee rise about 3 feet above grade.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Sep 1999 | Piper PA-22-150 | Strathmore, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Sep 1999 | Piper PA-22-108 | Manassas, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Oct 1999 | Piper PA-22-150 | Newberry, South Carolina, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 31 Dec 1999 | Piper PA-22-160 | Brighton, Colorado, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 May 1999 | Piper PA-22-108 | Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jan 1999 | Piper PA-22-160 | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | Jess Snider | No injuries | - |
All 3,095 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Dec 1999 | Rhea KR-2 | Moreno Valley, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 Dec 1999 | Cessna 172A | Shoshone, California, United States | Charles R. Christman | No injuries | - |
| 12 Sep 1999 | Cessna 172N | San Jose, California, United States | Concord Flight Intl, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 30 Apr 1999 | Schweizer 269C-1 | Concord, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Sep 1999 | Robinson R-22 | Azusa, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Apr 1999 | Massey SUPER STALLION | Shafter, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |