# NTSB ERA09CA023: Piper PA-20, N7324K, Albertville, AL, October 19, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 19, 2008, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Albertville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.229167, -86.255836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2292&lon=-86.2558&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA023

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the Piper PA-20 airplane was performing touch and go operations during visual meteorological conditions. After two touch and go landings without incident, a third landing was accomplished. The pilot reported the approach and landing procedures “occurred normally” during the third landing and he completed a three point landing with light and variable crosswinds. Between take-off and landing, wind direction had shifted approximately 180 degrees. After landing, during rollout, the aircraft abruptly turned to the left and began skidding sideways on runway. The pilot applied right rudder and left brake. As the airplane turned 90 degrees to the left, the right landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported the ground speed when accident happened was approximately 35 mile per hour. The aircraft came to rest off the edge of the left side of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Piper PA-20 airplane was performing touch and go operations during visual meteorological conditions. After two touch and go landings without incident, a third landing was accomplished. The pilot reported the approach and landing procedures “occurred normally” during the third landing and he completed a three point landing with light and variable crosswinds. Between take-off and landing, wind direction had shifted approximately 180 degrees. After landing, during rollout, the aircraft abruptly turned to the left and began skidding sideways on runway. The pilot applied right rudder and left brake. As the airplane turned 90 degrees to the left, the right landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported the ground speed when accident happened was approximately 35 mile per hour. The aircraft came to rest off the edge of the left side of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7324K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7324K), registered now, S/N 20-230, 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: 20-230
- Engines: Lycoming O-290 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: K8A0, Albertville, AL
- Destination: K8A0, Albertville, AL
- Airport: K8A0, Albertville Regional Airport, runway 23, 6,114 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 68 total, 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observed at: K8A0

## 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 20081019857099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081019857099A), Oct 19, 2008: Piper PA20, Albertville, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 19, 2008 at 1120 a.m. local. [privacy data omitted] Was flying a normal approach to runway 5 at Albertville regional airport (8A0) after…

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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