Piper PA-22-160 accident near Cleveland, Georgia, August 15, 2008
On August 15, 2008 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-160, registered N8906D, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Cleveland, Georgia (Mountain Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to land with a tailwind, and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 2008 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cleveland, Georgia · Mountain Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-160 · all PA-22-160s on the register
- Registration
- N8906D · no longer on the register · serial 22-6061
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the PA-22-160 overflew the airport in preparation for landing, and observed the windsock, which he reported was "flat." He entered the traffic pattern for runway 17 on the downwind leg, trimmed the airplane for 80 miles per hour (mph), and added one notch of flaps. Runway 17 was 2,500 feet long, 200 feet wide, and consisted of turf. The pilot maintained 70 mph on final approach, and as the airplane touched down on the runway, he immediately applied the brakes and the airplane began to skid. As the airplane approached a fence at the end of the runway, the pilot steered the airplane off the right side. During the turn, the nose gear collapsed, the airplane ground looped, and then flipped over. The pilot reported 264 total hours of flight experience, 123 of which were in the accident airplane make and model. He also reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. According to both of the passengers, the pilot landed "too fast" and with a tailwind. The winds reported at the nearest airport, 19 miles to the south, were from 260 degrees at 11 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Contributed to outcome
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 264 hours in all; 123 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 228 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,930 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: M54 Lebanon TN at 5:30 pm
- Destination: 0GE5 Cleveland GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,500 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from GVL, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.