# NTSB CHI03LA308: Piper PA-20, N5595H, Wausau, WI, September 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 2003, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Wausau, WI - Coordinates: 44.926109, -89.626663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9261&lon=-89.6267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57918 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA308 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57918/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA308 ## Probable cause The excessive free play resulting in a loose tail wheel assembly and a failure of the flight crew to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. ## 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) - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - loose (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when the aircraft ground looped during the landing roll. The flight instructor stated that an "uneventful 3-point landing was performed." He reported that during the rollout the aircraft began to drift toward the left. The dual student reportedly applied right rudder and the aircraft responded. However, the aircraft continued to track to the right, and despite full left rudder being applied, the aircraft did not "straighten out." When the aircraft reached the edge of the runway it "immediately ground looped to the right." The left wing tip and left horizontal stabilizer contacted the ground and were damaged. A post accident investigation revealed the tail wheel free play was approximately 3-1/2 inches. Tail wheel control continuity was verified. No other anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 2003, at 1000 central daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N5595H, piloted by a dual student and flight instructor, was substantially damaged when the aircraft ground looped during landing roll at the Wausau Downtown Airport (AUW), Wausau, Wisconsin. The aircraft was rolling out on the grass area parallel to runway 12 when the accident occurred. The instructional flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The dual student and flight instructor reported no injuries. The local flight reportedly departed AUW at 0900. The flight instructor's written statement reported that after completing a preflight inspection, they departed to the local practice area. He noted that upon return to the airport, an "uneventful 3-point landing was performed." He reported that during the rollout, the aircraft began to drift toward the left side of the landing area. According to the instructor, the dual student applied right rudder to correct the drift and the aircraft responded. However, the aircraft continued to track to the right and, despite full left rudder being applied, the aircraft did not "straighten out." He stated that when the aircraft reached the edge of the turf landing area it "immediately ground looped to the right." The left wing tip and left horizontal stabilizer contacted the ground and were damaged. A postaccident investigation verified tail wheel control continuity. Tail wheel freeplay was approximately 3-1/2 inches total. No other anomalies with the aircraft were observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5595H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5595H), registered now, S/N 20-659, 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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-659 - Airframe hours: 2110 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2003, 6 hours before - Departed: AUW, Wausau, WI - Destination: AUW, Wausau, WI - Airport: AUW, Wausau Muni, runway 12R, 2,950 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 1, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 2,462 total, 31 in this make and model, 2,336 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 41 total, 6 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: AUW ## 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 20030908023409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030908023409A), Sep 8, 2003: Piper PA20, Wausau, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On sept. 8, 2003, at 10:00 cdst a Piper PA-20, N5595H ground looped on rollout after landing parallel to runway 12 at the Wausau downtown airport,… 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.