# NTSB CHI89LA127: Piper PA-20, N7093K, Gladwin, MI, July 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1989, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Gladwin, MI
- Location: 43.9840° N, 84.4872° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gladwin, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9840&lon=-84.4872&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA127

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT SEATED IN THE LEFT SEAT OF THE AIRPLANE TO USE BRAKES TO CORRECT FOR A LEFT TURN CAUSED BY A BENT TAIL WHEEL.

## 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
  - landing gear,tailwheel - bent (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - worn (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - unavailable, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - not used, dual student (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7093K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7093K), registered now, S/N 20-199, 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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-199
- Airframe hours: 1696
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mitchell, Donald W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: GDW, GLADWIN, MI
- Destination: NONE, GLADWN, MI
- Airport: Sugar Springs, runway 9, 3,000 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,800 total, 50 in this make and model, 103 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTL, 17 nm away

## 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 19890703019759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890703019759A), Jul 3, 1989: Piper PA20, Gladwin, MI, Substantial damage. Worn tailwheel casting allowed wheel to lean causing uncontrolled turn off runway on landing. Nosed over in ditch.

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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