# NTSB CHI85LA148: Piper PA-20-125, N7629K, Zionsville, IN, March 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1985, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Zionsville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.94939, -86.269775 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9494&lon=-86.2698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA148

## 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
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT SHE FLARED SLIGHTLY HIGH UPON LANDING, CAUSING THE ACFT TO BOUNCE. ONCE THE ACFT WAS ON THE GROUND AGAIN IT BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. TO CORRECT FOR THIS DRIFT, THE PLT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER, HOWEVER, SHE OVERCORRECTED CAUSING A GROUND LOOP TO THE RIGHT. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT SUSTAINED DURING THE GROUND LOOP INCLUDED A BENT FRONT AND REAR SPAR ON THE LEFT WING AND A BOWED RIGHT RAER LONGERON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7629K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7629K), registered now, S/N 20-447, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20-125
- 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: 20-447
- Airframe hours: 2376
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James F. Leach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1984, 50 hours before
- Departed: 35Y, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Airport: I52, Indianapolis Terry, runway 18, 5,160 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 8 in this make and model, 298 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850325012909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850325012909A), Mar 25, 1985: Piper PA20, Zionsville, IN, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing and ground looped aircraft.

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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