# NTSB CEN20CA161: Piper PA 20, N1598A, Colorado Springs, CO, April 26, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 26, 2020, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Colorado Springs, CO - Coordinates: 38.864444, -104.768608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8644&lon=-104.7686&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101211 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101211/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101211 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA161 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, while demonstrating a three-point, full-stall landing with a 4-knot right-quartering crosswind, the airplane bounced slightly but that it "seemed minor and controllable." The airplane touched down again, and he pulled the yoke further aft, which resulted in another small bounce. Once the airplane was on the runway, he pulled the yoke full aft, and the airplane immediately veered right off the runway. The instructor attempted to correct by applying full left rudder to no avail. The left wingtip and nose struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. A Federal Aviation Administer inspector and the pilot examined the airplane and found no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he attempted a three-point, full stall landing, with a right-quartering crosswind of about 4 knots. During the touchdown there was a small bounce which the flight instructor described as minor and controllable. The airplane touched down again, and he applied further aft yoke which resulted in another small bounce and final touchdown. Once the airplane was on the runway, he applied full aft yoke, and the airplane immediately veered to the right and exited the runway. The flight instructor attempted to correct with full left rudder, but the airplane exited the right side of the runway and contacted terrain with the left wingtip and nose. The airplane came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left aileron. Examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1598A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1598A), registered now, S/N 20-836, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 20 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (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: 20-836 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 2381.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 2019 - Departed: FLY, Colorado Springs, CO - Destination: FLY, Colorado Springs, CO - Airport: FLY, Meadow Lake, runway 15, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 48; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2019; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,658 total, 0.5 in this make and model, 3,297 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: FLY ## 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 20200426010489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200426010489A), Apr 26, 2020: Piper PA-20, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. On April 26, 2020 at approximately 0845 (MDT) N1598A, a Piper PA-20 sustained substantial damage upon touchdown when it veered to the right and left the paved… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 28, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101211. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 395 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF 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.