# NTSB ERA09CA548: Piper PA-20, N7705K, Herlong, FL, September 13, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2009, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Herlong, FL
- Coordinates: 30.277778, -81.806114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2778&lon=-81.8061&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA548
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75066/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75066
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA548

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper visual lookout while taxing on soft terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot overflew a grass strip, parallel to the asphalt runway to view the condition for landing. The pilot landed without incident. While transitioning from the grass runway onto the taxiway, the aircraft's nose gear got stuck in the soft terrain and the aircraft flipped over. The wing spar incurred substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot overflew a grass strip, parallel to the asphalt runway to view the condition for landing. The pilot landed without incident. While transitioning from the grass runway onto the taxiway, the aircraft's nose gear got stuck in the soft terrain and the aircraft flipped over. The wing spar incurred substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical deficiencies prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7705K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7705K-2014-12-23), registration cancelled 2014-12-23, S/N 20-525, 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: 20-525
- Airframe hours: 2987
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pacer N7705k LLC
- Registered owner: Pacer N7705k LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 2008
- Departed: KCRG, Craig Municipal, FL
- Destination: KCRG, Craig Municipal, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: KHEG, Herlong Airport, runway 07, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 13, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 351 total, 56 in this make and model, 288 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KNIP, 8 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 20090913051269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090913051269A), Sep 13, 2009: Piper PA-20, Herlong, FL, Substantial damage. After landing on grass runway, parallel to runway 7, pilot proceeded to taxi on grass runway when aircraft entered an area of soft ground and ground looped…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75066. 673 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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