# NTSB CHI93LA151: Piper PA-20, N7732K, Lapeer, MI, March 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1993, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Lapeer, MI
- Coordinates: 43.03968, -83.32096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0397&lon=-83.3210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA151

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE LIGHT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.  HE STATED HE 'LANDED ON RUNWAY 36 WITH A NORMAL LANDING.  ROLL OUT WAS NORMAL FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET.  AIRPLANE THEN STARTED A GROUND LOOP TO THE LEFT...RIGHT RUDDER AND...BRAKE DID NOT CORRECT... .'  THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT STATED THERE WAS NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## 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
- Airframe hours: 1881
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alton, Jack E.
- Registered owner: Alton, Jack E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1993, 15 hours before
- Departed: 77G, MARLETTE, MI
- Airport: D95, Dupont-Lapeer Apt, runway 36, 3,605 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 218 total, 35 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 18 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930330034259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930330034259A), Mar 30, 1993: Piper PA20, Lapeer, MI, Substantial damage. On landing roll, ground looped. Side load collapsed right main gear.

## 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 CHI91LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA271), Aug 25, 1991: Piper PA-20 (N7732K), Saginaw, MI, substantial damage. 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.
- [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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