Probable cause
The loss of directional control during the landing roll due to the separation of the tailwheel spring retaining clip for unknown reasons.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that the tailwheel-equipped airplane started veering to the right during the landing roll. Despite his control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right, exited the runway, and tipped onto its left wing tip, damaging the left elevator, before coming to rest upright within a snow bank. According to the pilot, the left tailwheel steering link (spring retaining clip), Univair Part number 2133, was missing from the tailwheel assembly and a search failed to locate it on the runway or near the airplane. A missing tailwheel steering link would allow the tailwheel to freely caster.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA136 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 21, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ogden, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Ogden Hinkley Airport (OGD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22-160
- N-number
- N8637D
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.