No fatalities

2 Nov 2008: PIPER PA-22-135 — Anasazi Design Services, LLC. — San Manuel, AZ

San Manuel, AZ, United States

On 2 Nov 2008, a PIPER PA-22-135 operated by Anasazi Design Services, LLC. was involved in an aviation accident near San Manuel, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The application of rudder while adding full power created enough instability to drop the wing, as stated by the pilot. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that while practicing a soft-field landing, a combination of rudder input and power application caused the airplane's left wing to contact the ground. No mechanical failures were noted.

Incident Summary

A pilot reported that the accident occurred during a practice soft-field landing. According to a written statement, the pilot configured the airplane for landing by adding full flaps about 3 miles from the destination airport. The pilot opted to practice a soft-field landing and managed the descent using throttle control.

Approach and Maneuver

As the airplane transitioned to short final, it was configured in a nose-high stabilized approach. When the airplane was 150 feet from the runway threshold, the pilot added right rudder in an attempt to gain visibility out the window straight ahead. At an altitude of 20 to 30 feet above ground level and 100 feet from the threshold, the pilot applied power to arrest the descent.

Wing Contact

The increase in power, in combination with the rudder input, resulted in the airplane's left wing contacting the ground.

Pilot's Recommendation

In the "RECOMMENDATION" section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot stated that the application of rudder while adding full power created enough instability to drop the wing. The pilot also stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.

Probable cause

The application of rudder while adding full power created enough instability to drop the wing, as stated by the pilot.

Contributing factors

Lateral/bank control — Not attained/maintainedPilot