# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-20: Loss of control - on ground/water

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 52 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ANC07LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA055.md): Piper PA-20 · Nenana, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2007 · N5540A · Substantial damage
  > 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 landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB CHI06LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA100.md): Piper PA-20 · South St. Paul, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2006 · N1579A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll, which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear. A factor associated with the accident was a tailwind.
- [NTSB SEA05CA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA156.md): Piper PA-20-115 · Weiser, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 30, 2005 · N7004K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and his application of excessive braking as the aircraft started to depart the side of the runway.
- [NTSB ANC05CA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA091.md): Piper PA-20 · Nome, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 4, 2005 · N7440K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear, and a nose over. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind.
- [NTSB SEA05LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA039.md): Piper PA-20 · Lewiston, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 2005 · N1535A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Wind gusts and the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions were factors.
- [NTSB LAX04CA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA286.md): Piper PA-20 · Glendale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 5, 2004 · N1529A · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB SEA04LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA075.md): Piper PA-20 · North Bend, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 2004 · N7631K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll. A rough landing surface and tailwind gusts were factors.
- [NTSB SEA04LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA044.md): Piper PA-20 · Laurel, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 2004 · N7321K · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll. Inadequate remedial action was a factor.
- [NTSB LAX04CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA026.md): Piper PA-20 · Petaluma, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 25, 2003 · N7409K · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control that resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB CHI03LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA308.md): Piper PA-20 · Wausau, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2003 · N5595H · Substantial damage
  > The excessive free play resulting in a loose tail wheel assembly and a failure of the flight crew to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
- [NTSB ANC03LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA079.md): Piper PA-20 · Wasilla, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2003 · N7699K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane's collision with a ditch, and the collapse of the main landing gear.
- [NTSB ANC03LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA047.md): Piper PA-20 · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2003 · N5589H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and collapse of the left main landing gear.
- [NTSB DEN03LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA005.md): Piper PA-20 · Watkins, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 2002 · N7672K · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inability [not possible] to control the airplane during landing roll due to the failure of the left brake, and the subsequent inadvertent ground loop.
- [NTSB LAX01LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA206.md): Piper PA-20 · Winnemucca, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2001 · N7783K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to obtain weather information or an in-flight advisory that would have described current wind information at the destination airport and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB SEA01LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA016.md): Piper PA-20 · Hood River, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2000 · N7707K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB CHI00LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA231.md): Piper PA-20 · Kirksville, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 2000 · N5590H · Substantial damage
  > the pilot failed to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB LAX98LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA266.md): Piper PA-20 · Rio Vista, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 1998 · N1540A · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the existing wind condition and maintain directional control on rollout.
- [NTSB SEA98LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA067.md): Piper PA-20 · Arlington, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 1998 · N7458K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and his delayed remedial action when the aircraft started to drift off the side of the runway.
- [NTSB ATL96LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA098.md): Piper PA-20 · Calhoun, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1996 · N7685K · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB SEA96LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA107.md): Piper PA-20 · Pasco, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 1996 · N1645A · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and collapse of the left main gear.
- [NTSB FTW95LA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA396.md): Piper PA-20 · Searcy, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 1995 · N7729K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the winds. A factor was the crosswind.
- [NTSB CHI94LA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA337.md): Piper PA-20 · Greenville, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1994 · N7061K · Substantial damage
  > Incapacitation of the pilot due to a seizure and/or loss of consciousness. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's failure to properly report his medical information on his FAA medical application.
- [NTSB SEA94LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA180.md): Piper PA-20 · Easton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 1994 · N1540A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors include soft, uneven terrain.
- [NTSB ANC93LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA117.md): Piper PA-20 · Circle Hot Spri, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 1993 · N4946M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control during taxi. Factor is the rough/rutted condition of the airstrip.
- [NTSB CHI93LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA151.md): Piper PA-20 · Lapeer, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 1993 · N7732K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB CHI93LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA014.md): Piper PA-20 · Weeping Water, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 1992 · N5592H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB ANC92LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA084.md): Piper PA-20 · Alexander Creek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 1992 · N7475K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing flare/touchdown. A factor relating to the accident was the crosswind weather condition.
- [NTSB ANC92LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA016.md): Piper PA-20 · Stebbins, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1991 · N1685A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind during landing. Factors were the crosswind and the attempted go around
- [NTSB CHI91LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA271.md): Piper PA-20 · Saginaw, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1991 · N7732K · Substantial damage
  > Directional control was not maintained by the pilot which resulted in a ground loop. A factor related to the accident was a crosswind.
- [NTSB ANC91LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA120.md): Piper PA-20 · Eureka, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 1991 · N7404K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to mantain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.
- [NTSB SEA91LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA180.md): Piper PA-20 · Chehalis, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 1991 · N7458K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment. Factors include gusty winds and crosswinds.
- [NTSB ANC91LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA158.md): Piper PA-20 · Naknek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 1991 · N6908K · Substantial damage
  > The loss of control during the takeoff sequence caused by the failure of the tail wheel steering spring. Factors contributing to the accident were the gusty wind conditions and soft terrain.
- [NTSB CHI91LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA123.md): Piper PA-20 · Grand Marais, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 1991 · N7010K · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control. The crosswind and snow covered runway were related factors.
- [NTSB ANC91DAG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91DAG01.md): Piper PA-20 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 1, 1991 · N2636A · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.
- [NTSB ANC91LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA005.md): Piper PA-20 · King Salmon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 1990 · N7049K · Substantial damage
  > Inadvertant stall during an aborted landing.
- [NTSB ANC89LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA128.md): Piper PA-20 · Chitina, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 1989 · N7400K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area and delay in slowing the airplane after landing. A factor in the accident was the rough/uneven terrain.
- [NTSB CHI89LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA127.md): Piper PA-20 · Gladwin, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 1989 · N7093K · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot seated in the left seat of the airplane to use brakes to correct for a left turn caused by a bent tail wheel.
- [NTSB MIA88LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA170.md): Piper PA-20 · Ocean Springs, MS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 15, 1988 · N7682K · Substantial damage
  > The instructor stated that they were on their third touch and go and had made a wheel landing, and just as she started to retract the flaps, the aircraft made an aprx 30 degree turn off the right side of the runway. She then stated that no matter how much…
- [NTSB SEA87LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA095.md): Piper PA-20-115 · Seattle, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 10, 1987 · N7732K · Substantial damage
  > During landing roll with a crosswind from the right a ground loop occurred. The pilot had just completed a solo cross country flight. The wind was from 210 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot was landing on runway 13L.
- [NTSB ANC86LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA016.md): Piper PA-20 · Wasilla, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1985 · N7773K · Substantial damage
  > Aircraft lost control during landing and crashed into another private aircraft. Witness reported seeing aircraft make a fast appraoch, land long, ground loop and slide side ways into parked Aeronca. Witness stated that aircraft landed with a tailwind,while…
- [NTSB LAX86LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA052.md): Piper PA-20 · Calexico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1985 · N7728K · Substantial damage
  > The acft ground looped during a landing on rwy 08 at Calexico arpt. The plt reported that upon touchdown the acft began to swerve to the right. The plt applied left rudder to arrest the right swerve. The acft then began a swerve to the left and the plt was…
- [NTSB ANC85LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA182.md): Piper PA-20 · Feather River, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 1985 · N7440K · Substantial damage
  > While landing in gusty surface wind conditions the pilot lost control of he airplane and turned over.
- [NTSB SEA85LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA192.md): Piper PA-20 · Seattle, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 1985 · N7765K · Substantial damage
  > A ground loop occurred and the steering spring failed. The aircraft's steering spring had failed prior to the accident away from a repair station. The pilot made a temporary repair that failed during this ground loop. The pilot stated that a combination of a…
- [NTSB CHI85LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA148.md): Piper PA-20-125 · Zionsville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 1985 · N7629K · Substantial damage
  > The plt stated that she flared slightly high upon landing, causing the acft to bounce. Once the acft was on the ground again it began to drift to the left side of the rwy. To correct for this drift, the plt applied right rudder, however, she overcorrected…
- [NTSB MKC85LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA054.md): Piper PA-20 · Wa Keeney, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 1985 · N5590H · Substantial damage
  > Acft touched down left of centerline. Left main gear contacted slush on the rwy and the acft swerved into a 2 to 3 ft snowbank alongside the rwy. Plt stated, 'the rwy was plenty clear and the accident would not have happened if the plane had been kept on the…
- [NTSB MKC84LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA074.md): Piper PA-20 · Boonville, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 1984 · N4944M · Substantial damage
  > The acft nosed over after landing. The plt said that the arpt manager told him that 'there is a valley that funnels the wind and has blown other acft the same way'. The plt said the only way to avoid this condition is to land farther down the rwy.
- [NTSB ATL84LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA012.md): Piper PA-20 · Moncks Corner, SC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 1983 · N1561A · Substantial damage
  > The plt reported that he landed on rwy 5 with a wind from the north northwest at 8 to 15 KTS. During the landing, he encountered a gust of wind, the acft veered, and subsequently, the right main gear failed.
- [NTSB MKC84LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA001.md): Piper PA-20 · Cedar Rapids, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1983 · N7026K · Substantial damage
  > The plt reported that when he landed on rwy 13, the wind was from 170 deg at 10 gusting to 20 KTS. He said that about 30 ft beyond the touchdown point, a gust of wind picked up the right wing & the acft swerved to the right. Subsequently, the left main gear…
- [NTSB CHI83LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA320.md): Piper PA-20 · Mason, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 1983 · N6996K · Substantial damage
  > The student & instructor plt (CFI) were practicing landings in the student's acft, which was equipped with brakes only on the left side. Reportedly, the student flared high during a landing & the CFI added power to recover. After touchdown, the roll-out was…
- [NTSB ANC83FAA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FAA01.md): Piper PA-20-A · Phillips Field, AK · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 8, 1982 · N4946M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot reported that during a landing, the aircraft bounced a little. Reportedly, he recovered from the bounce, then the plane started to veer off the runway toward parked aircraft. While corecting with brakes, the aircraft nosed over.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7102002&occurrence=260&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7102002')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 260))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=7102002&occurrence=260

---
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.
