CHI00LA297

Factual narrative

On September 1, 2000, at 1830 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22/20, N3383A, was substantially damaged when it skidded sideways during landing on runway 4 (5,200 X 100 feet) at the Marion Municipal Airport (MZZ), Marion, Indiana. The private pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight had departed Drake Field Airport, near Fayetteville, Arkansas, at 1000, en route to MZZ. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported, "Upon landing, a severe rotary thermal (dust devil?) impacted plane on right rear tail surfaces and propelled aircraft sideways in turf by skidding to the right." Structural damaged resulted to the wing and landing gear. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot reported, "Upon landing, a severe rotary thermal (dust devil?) impacted plane on right rear tail surfaces and propelled aircraft sideways in turf by skidding to the right." Structural damage resulted to the wing and landing gear. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12