Casualties unknown

Nose Over During Landing on Soft Terrain (N5029Z)

Harvard, IL, US

On September 8, 1992, a Piper PA-22-108 (registration N5029Z) operated by Martin Moran was involved in an aviation accident near Harvard, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ALIGN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WITH THE CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot elected to land on the left side of a sod runway; during the landing roll, the airplane encountered wet, soft terrain, swerved left, and nosed over. High grass and glare from the setting sun were cited.

Accident Details

The accident airplane nosed over in soft, rough terrain during a landing roll on a sod runway. The pilot elected to land on the left side of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered wet, soft terrain, causing it to swerve left and nose over. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that high grass on the runway surface obscured the soft terrain. He also stated that landing directly into the setting sun restricted his vision. The pilot's account highlighted that the grass and sun collectively made the terrain condition difficult to discern from the cockpit. No probable cause was determined from the available information. The investigation report provided no additional details beyond the pilot's account.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Sept 1992 Piper PA-22-108 accident near Harvard, IL?

A pilot elected to land on the left side of a sod runway; during the landing roll, the airplane encountered wet, soft terrain, swerved left, and nosed over. High grass and glare from the setting sun were cited.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Sept 1992 involved a Piper PA-22-108, registration N5029Z, operated by Martin Moran, at Harvard, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ALIGN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WITH THE CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15653. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.