# NTSB ANC82DA040: Piper PA-20S, N6952K, Gulkana, AK, May 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1982, 08:41 local (16:41 UTC)
- Place: Gulkana, AK
- Coordinates: 62.100158, -145.529998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1002&lon=-145.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA040

## Analysis

THE OWNER, A PRIVATE PILOT, WAS GETTING DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL TRAINING IN HIS TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS A PIPER PA-20 THAT HAD BEEN CONVERTED FROM A MODEL PA-22. THE OWNER HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 10 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED DURING A PRACTICE LANDING. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (IP) REPORTED THAT THE OWNER/TRAINEE WAS DOING SO WELL WITH HIS PRACTICE THAT HE (THE IP) JUST RELAXED. REPORTEDLY AFTER THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN, IT WAS GOING STRAIGHT, AND THE IP THOUGHT THE PLANE WAS UNDER CONTROL, WHEN IT STARTED TO MOVE SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. THE TRAINEE STARTED TO CORRECT WITH LEFT RUDDER, BUT THE MOVEMENT TO THE RIGHT CONTINUED. THE IP THEN TRIED TO CORRECT THE IMPENDING GROUND LOOP, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED.

## 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, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6952K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6952K), registered now, S/N 20-57 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20S
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20S](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20s) (registry code 7102004) (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: 20-57
- Airframe hours: 3325
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Charles F. Chamberlain
- Registered owner: Huston C. Rick
- Departed: GKN, GULKANA, AK
- Destination: GKN, GULKANA, AK
- Airport: GKN, Gulkana, runway 14, 4,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,066 total, 150 in this make and model, 5,050 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GKN

## 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 19820514043669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820514043669A), May 14, 1982: Piper PA20S, Gulkana, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot being checked out in conventional geared aircraft lost directional control. Instructor reaction too late.

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.

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