Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-22-160 near Sealy, TX — 2026-01-04

Final reportCEN26LA078
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Date
2026-01-04
Location
Sealy, TX, USA
Airport
1XA7
Aircraft
PIPER PA-22-160
Registration
N8877D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The failure of the nose wheel during landing that resulted in a loss of directional control and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and flight instructor departed from a grass airstrip and performed flight training maneuvers in the local area prior to returning to the airstrip. During the landing to the airstrip with no wind present, the airplane nose wheel turned right, and it did not respond to control inputs. The airplane departed the runway surface and impacted terrain. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down attitude on a grass field near the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and the nose wheel was found collapsed. The flight instructor stated that the nose wheel had failed during the landing, and it did not respond to rudder inputs.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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