# NTSB ANC91LA158: Piper PA-20, N6908K, Naknek, AK, June 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1991, 20:00 local (Jun 27, 1991, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Naknek, AK
- Coordinates: 59.389167, -151.659408 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3892&lon=-151.6594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5631
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5631/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA158

## Probable cause

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.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,steering system - failure,partial (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE INITIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER, HE WAS BEGINNING HIS TAKEOFF ROLL WHEN HE LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE TAIL WHEEL STEERING SPRING HAD FAILED.  THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED UNTIL OCTOBER 1991, AND THE AIRPLANE WAS REPAIRED BEFORE THE TAILWHEEL SPRING COULD BE EXAMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6908K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6908K), registered now, S/N 20-12, built 1950 (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: 20-14
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeremy Davis
- Registered owner: Thomas P. O'Hara
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Destination: NAK, NAKNEK, AK
- Airport: Naknek City Strip, runway 24, 1,980 × 70 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 450 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °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 19910626025159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910626025159A), Jun 26, 1991: Piper PA20, Naknek, AK, Substantial damage. Tail wheel spring broke on takeoff roll. Lost control. Veered off runway and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N6908K (1)

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 ANC77DAG72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG72), Jun 2, 1977: Piper PA-20 (N6908K), Anchorage, 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.

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