# NTSB LAX00LA224: Piper PA-20, N7451K, Quincy, CA, June 13, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 2000, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, CA
- Coordinates: 39.959449, -121.000793 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9594&lon=-121.0008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA224

## Probable cause

The fracture and failure of the main landing gear strut to shock absorber attachment fitting.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - fractured (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve

## Analysis

During takeoff roll the left main landing gear collapsed as the airplane accelerated through about 40 miles per hour. The left wingtip dropped to the ground and the aircraft ground looped.  Examination revealed that the landing gear shock absorber end fitting had broken and separated where it attached to the gear strut.

## Factual narrative

On June 13, 2000, at 0600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N7451K, was substantially damaged when the aircraft ground looped during takeoff at Gansner Field, Quincy, California.  The airline transport certificated pilot and one passenger were not injured.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight destination is unknown.

The pilot reported that, during takeoff roll on runway 24, the left main landing gear collapsed as the airplane accelerated through about 40 miles per hour.  The left wingtip then dropped to the ground and the aircraft ground looped to the left.  According to the pilot, the landing gear shock absorber end fitting had broken and separated where it attached to the gear strut.

The surface wind was reported calm.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7451K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7451K), registered now, S/N 362, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 362
- Airframe hours: 4951
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard J. Corbitt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 2000, 26 hours before
- Departed: 2O1
- Destination: UNKNOWN
- Airport: 2O1, Gansner Field, runway 24, 4,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 43 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 20000613011919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000613011919A), Jun 13, 2000: Piper PA20, Quincy, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost control during takeoff at approx. 50 mph. A/c swerved right and pilot attempted to correct, but was unsuccessful. A/c slid sideways down the…

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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