# NTSB ANC89LA097: Piper PA-20, N7735K, Sheshalik, AK, June 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1989, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Sheshalik, AK
- Location: 66.9942° N, 162.8281° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sheshalik, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.9942&lon=-162.8281&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5202/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA097

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S BRAKES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - seized (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS LANDING AT AN OFF AIRPORT SITE (GRAVEL SPIT) THAT HE FREQUENTLY USES. DURING THE FINAL PHASE OF THE LANDING ROLL, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE LEFT BRAKE LOCKED, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO SLOWLY NOSE OVER. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES BY THE PILOT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE WAS OXIDIZED AND CORRODED. THE PILOT RECOMMENDS THAT A HARD APPLICATON OF THE BRAKES BE PERFORMED PRIOR TO FLIGHT TO HELP ASSESS THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7735K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7735K-2008-06-06), registration cancelled 2008-06-06, S/N 20-558, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20258
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wager, James, doing business as Flying Start Inc.
- Registered owner: Wagar, J. DBA; Flying Start
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,900 total, 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890619020659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890619020659A), Jun 19, 1989: Piper PA20, Sheshalik, AK, Substantial damage. Nosed over when brakes applied after landing. Brakes were oxidized and corroded.

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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