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WPR11CA235

2011-05-25 · Yakima, Washington, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KYKM

Current FAA registration · N8712D

Make / Model
PIPER PA-22-160
Year of manufacture
1958 · 53 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ABFCAF

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control upon landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated he was returning to land from a student cross country flight. Upon touchdown, he reported that a gust of wind lifted his left wing; despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane ground looped. At the time of the accident, the accident airport reported winds from 240 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight. The pilot stated that he was returning to land when, upon touchdown, a gust of wind lifted his left wing. Despite his control inputs the airplane ground-looped. At the time of the accident, the wind at the accident airport was reported to be from 240 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Contributed to outcome
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_WPR11CA235.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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