# NTSB CHI91LA271: Piper PA-20, N7732K, Saginaw, MI, August 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1991, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Saginaw, MI
- Coordinates: 43.459384, -84.030624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4594&lon=-84.0306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA271

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A CROSSWIND.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND CROSSWIND, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST.  THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED WHICH RESULTED IN THE LEFT WING STRIKING THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7732K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7732K), registered now, S/N 20-555, 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: 20-555
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gordon, Larry W.
- Departed: 3BS, MIDLAND, MI
- Airport: 3SG, Harry Browne, runway 9, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 400 total, 17 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MBS, 1 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 19910825039839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910825039839A), Aug 25, 1991: Piper PA20, Saginaw, MI, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing touched down on left gear. Skidded left gear collapsed. Wing struck terrain.

## Other investigations on N7732K (2)

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 CHI93LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA151), Mar 30, 1993: Piper PA-20 (N7732K), Lapeer, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
- [NTSB SEA87LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA095), May 10, 1987: Piper PA-20-115 (N7732K), Seattle, WA, 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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