Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said that after touchdown, the right wing lifted and pulled the airplane to the left. The pilot applied right aileron and full power. He said he still could not lower the right wing. The pilot then reduced the power and tried to steer the airplane out of the skid. 'The right wing came down as the skid increased, and made contact with the ground as the airplane came to a stop.' Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies in the flight controls or other airplane systems.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 21, 1996, at 1415 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper, PA-22-150, N2505P, sustained substantial damage when during landing, the airplane's right wing struck the runway. The airplane subsequently ground looped. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and two passengers on board reported no injuries. The flight originated at Waconia, Minnesota, at 1345 cdt, and was en route to Jordan, Minnesota. In his written statement, the pilot said that after touchdown the right wing lifted and pulled him to the left. The pilot applied right aileron with no response. He then applied full power and right aileron. He still could not lower the right wing. The pilot then reduced the power and tried to steer the airplane out of the skid. "The right wing came down as the skid increased, and made contact with the ground as the airplane came to a stop." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the site found the airplane resting upright off of the left side of the grass strip. There was damage to the right wing tip. The right wing spar was bent aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. -