On October 25, 1998, a Piper PA-22-150 (registration N7357D) was involved in an aviation accident near Chamblee, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft drifted left upon touchdown, prompting corrective rudder and brake inputs that led to a ground loop and left wing strike on the runway surface.
What happened
The accident occurred during the landing phase of flight. As the aircraft's tail wheel made initial contact with the runway surface, the aircraft began to drift laterally to the left. In an effort to maintain directional control and correct this drift, the pilot applied right rudder pressure followed by the application of the right wheel brake.
These corrective inputs resulted in a ground loop to the right. During this maneuver, the left wing of the aircraft struck the runway surface. A postcrash examination of the left wheel brake assembly and the tail wheel steering mechanism was conducted. The inspection revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction within these components prior to the impact.
The investigation
Postaccident analysis focused on the mechanical integrity of the braking and steering systems. Investigators examined the left wheel brake and the tail wheel steering apparatus for signs of pre-impact defects. The examination found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction in either system.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop.