# NTSB ANC07CA004: Piper PA-20-135, N3404A, Anchorage, AK, October 23, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2006, 17:30 local (Oct 23, 2006, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.213611, -149.844451 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2136&lon=-149.8445&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 64752 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64752/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA004 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and encounter with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the ground loop and inadequate main wheel brakes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - landing gear,normal brake system - inadequate (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot was practicing touch and go takeoffs and landings under Title 14, CFR Part 91. He said prior to takeoff, the airplane's brakes functioned, but worked "poorly." During the landing roll, he stated that the airplane veered sharply to the right, and he was unable to correct for the deviation using the brakes and rudder. He said the airplane exited the runway to the right, and ground-looped. The airplane received damage to the left wingtip, left elevator, fuselage lower longeron, and left main landing gear. ## Factual narrative The commercial certificated pilot was practicing touch and go takeoffs and landings under Title 14, CFR Part 91. He said prior to takeoff, the airplane's brakes functioned, but worked "poorly." During the landing roll, he stated that the airplane veered sharply to the right, and he was unable to correct for the deviation using the brakes and rudder. He said the airplane exited the runway to the right, and ground-looped. The airplane received damage to the left wingtip, left elevator, fuselage lower longeron, and left main landing gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3404A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3404A), registered now, S/N 20-1069, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20-135) (registry code 7102010) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-1069 - Airframe hours: 3007 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steve Libby - Registered owner: Peter Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2005 - Departed: PAMR, Anchorage, CA - Airport: PAMR, Merrill Field, runway 25, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 3,750 total, 150 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20061022029459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061022029459A), Oct 22, 2006: Piper PA20135, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated while he was attempting a landing on runway 25 at the Merrill Field Airport (mri) Alaska, the aircraft veered sharply to the right off… ## Other investigations on N3404A (2) 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 ANC82DA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA021), Feb 26, 1982: Piper PA-20 (N3404A), Bethel, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC70DAG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70DAG08), Mar 7, 1970: Piper PA-20 (N3404A), Glennallen, AK, substantial damage 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. --- 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.