Casualties unknown

Aircraft Flips Over After Ground Loop to Avoid Trailer Park (N3732Z)

Tunkhannock, PA, US

On August 16, 1982, a Piper PA-22-160 (registration N3732Z) operated by Bernard Rottschaefer was involved in an aviation accident near Tunkhannock, PA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing in calm wind, the pilot touched down long, then intentionally ground looped when brakes seemed to fail, causing the aircraft to flip over at the runway end to avoid a bank and trailer park.

Incident

A single-engine aircraft was landing in calm wind conditions. The pilot reported that the aircraft was high on final approach, so he added flaps and performed a forward slip to lose altitude. He touched down approximately 1,000 feet down the 2,000-foot runway.

Brake Failure and Ground Loop

After landing, the pilot applied the brakes, but they seemed to fail. To prevent the aircraft from going over a bank and into a trailer park, he intentionally ground looped the aircraft at the end of the runway. During the ground loop maneuver, the aircraft flipped over.

Aftermath

The aircraft came to rest inverted at the runway end. No further details about the aircraft, occupants, or damage were reported in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020917X04000. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.