# NTSB GAA17CA040: Piper PA 20S, N7329K, Arcadia, FL, October 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 23, 2016, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Arcadia, FL - Coordinates: 27.195554, -81.840278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1956&lon=-81.8403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94273/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94273 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper pitch and power control during landing in a straight float-equipped airplane on grass in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-20S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102004), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he ferried the straight float-equipped airplane to a grass airstrip for an annual inspection. During landing on the grass airstrip in crosswind conditions, the pilot reported that upon touchdown he applied back pressure to the controls and added power, but the airplane lifted and came back down quickly. The crosswind had drifted the airplane to the left and as the airplane began to slow on the runway the pilot felt the left float buckle. Subsequently, the left wing and nose impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the wind as 060 degrees true at 10 nautical miles per hour, and not gusting. The pilot landed on runway 31. The pilot reported that the grass had just been cut, and that it would have been better if there had been dew on the grass. He further reported that the crosswind drifted the airplane to the left causing the left float to collapse. He wrote that he should have returned home and come back the following day when there was dew on the grass and no headwind. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he ferried the straight float-equipped airplane to a grass airstrip for an annual inspection. During landing on the grass airstrip in crosswind conditions, the pilot reported that upon touchdown he applied back pressure to the controls and added power, but the airplane lifted and came back down quickly. The crosswind had drifted the airplane to the left and as the airplane began to slow on the runway the pilot felt the left float buckle. Subsequently, the left wing and nose impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the wind as 060 degrees true at 10 nautical miles per hour, and not gusting. The pilot landed on runway 31. The pilot reported that the grass had just been cut, and that it would have been better if there had been dew on the grass. He further reported that the crosswind drifted the airplane to the left causing the left float to collapse. He wrote that he should have returned home and come back the following day when there was dew on the grass and no headwind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7329K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7329K-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 20-236, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 20S (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Piper PA-20S](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20s) (registry code 7102004) (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: 20-236 - Year built: 1950 - Airframe hours: 2500 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 2015 - Departed: Manatee River, FL - Destination: X06, Arcadia, FL - Airport: X06, Arcadia Muni, runway 31, 2,780 × 140 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 675 total, 300 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: PGD, 18 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 20161023016929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161023016929A), Oct 23, 2016: Piper PA-20S, Arcadia, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was operating a float plane and attempted to land on a dry grass runway. Upon landing the aircraft bounced and drifted to the left when the left float… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94273. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 696 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.