# N5540A: Piper PA-20, registration cancelled 2017-05-16

- Type: Cancelled registration (FAA registry, deregistered aircraft)
- Cancelled: May 16, 2017
- Status when cancelled: Registration expired, pending cancellation
- Airframe: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002)
- Engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508)
- Data sheets: [TCDS 1A4](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/1A4), [TCDS E-274](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/E-274) (OpenAirDocs)
- Serial number: 20-982
- Type of aircraft: Fixed wing single engine
- Engine type: Reciprocating
- Airworthiness: Standard
- Airworthiness date: July 2, 1959
- Certificate issued: June 4, 2007
- Last registry action: May 18, 2010
- Mode S code: A710A0
- Owner when cancelled: [Rice Wesley R](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/RICE%20WESLEY%20R)
- Location: [Fairbanks, AK](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/AK/Fairbanks)
- Owner type: Individual
- Owner's area on the map: 64.8774° N, 148.1486° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 99709, within about 13 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft was based
- The mark today: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5540A
- FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=5540A
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5540A-2017-05-16

From the FAA registry file of October 29, 2026, cancelled registrations. Owners' street addresses are left out. The Mode S code belongs to the N-number, not the airframe.

ADs and bulletins for the Piper PA-20: https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20.md

## NTSB investigations (3)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC09CA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA107), Sep 27, 2009: Piper PA-20 (N5540A), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's decision to attempt an off-airport landing and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB ANC07LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA055), Jun 24, 2007: Piper PA-20 (N5540A), Nenana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground-loop and main landing gear collapse. Factors contributing to the accident were the ground-loop and…
- [NTSB NYC68D0423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0423), Mar 26, 1968: Piper PA-20 (N5540A), Blossvale, NY, substantial damage

## FAA accident and incident reports (2)

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [Accident 20090924025609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090924025609A), Sep 24, 2009: Piper PA-20 (N5540A), AK, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Attempted to leave hunting camp at a small private strip with ice and snow covering the ground. On takeoff the aircraft hit a large dip…
- [Accident 20070624010879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070624010879A), Jun 24, 2007: Piper PA20 (N5540A), Nenana, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 24, 2006, N540A, a PA-20 ballanca, ground looped while landing on runway 22 at the Nenana airport. There was a 10-12 knot crosswind from the…

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.