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November 15, 2021 · Piper PA-22-160 · N3463Z

West Union, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
West Union, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-160 (1960)
Tail Number
N3463Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN22LA038

The student pilot reported that he was conducting a solo cross-country flight when the airplane began to roll left unless he continuously held right aileron input. The pilot elected to divert, and during the landing flare, the airplane continued the left roll and touched down hard past the 1,000-ft runway markers. The airplane bounced and touched down a second time before departing the left side of the runway, where it impacted a ditch and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. A postaccident examination did not reveal any flight control anomalies that would have caused the left rolling tendency, and the reason for the malfunction could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB Probable Cause

A malfunction of the flight controls for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.

Full Narrative

On November 15, 2021, about 1730 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-160, N3463Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Union, Ohio. The student pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot reported that he was completing a solo cross-country flight when the accident occurred. After descending from 5,500 ft to 2,500 ft, the airplane began to roll left unless the pilot continuously held right aileron input. The use of rudder did not null the left roll tendency. Due to the left roll and lower cloud bases ahead, he elected to divert. After an initial attempt to land on runway 5, he entered left traffic for runway 23. During the landing flare, the airplane continued the left roll and touched down hard past the 1,000 ft runway markers. The airplane bounced and touched down a second time before departing the left side of the runway, where it impacted a ditch and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. During a postaccident examination, control cable continuity and routing were verified from the rudder pedals to the rudder, and full rudder travel was observed. The aileron system was inspected, and control cable continuity and routing were verified from the control column to each aileron. Full travel of each aileron was observed. The aileron/rudder interconnect was also verified and found to be operational with no restrictions. The aileron control yoke was found to be misrigged so that when the ailerons were even with the wingtips, the yoke was approximately 200 offset to the left, and when the yoke was placed in a neutral position, the aileron positions corresponded to a right turn.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EST
Nearest AirportAlexander Salamon (1nm SSE)
Runway23
Runway Length3558 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-160
Tail NumberN3463Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 F / 27 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data