# NTSB MIA07CA118: Piper PA-20-135, N1576A, State College, PA, July 7, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 7, 2007, 09:58 local (13:58 UTC)
- Place: State College, PA
- Coordinates: 40.849166, -77.848609
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8492&lon=-77.8486&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Harrisburg FSDO EA-13
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA118

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane.

## 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

## Analysis

The pilot applied light braking during the landing roll prior to performing a 180-degree turn.  When he applied braking the aircraft ground looped to the left, collapsing the left gear and striking the left wing on the runway. The propeller struck the runway while the engine was under power and that he was not injured.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that the landing was normal and during the landing roll-out while on the runway, he applied light braking to make a 180-degree turn.  The airplane ground looped to the left causing the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing to contact the runway.

According to FAA personnel who examined the airplane, the main spar of the left wing was bent upward.  A repair estimated provided by a mechanic who performed a visual inspection of the airplane indicated the left wing needed to be replaced.  Pictures provided to NTSB by the mechanic showed wrinkling of the fabric on the upper surface of the left wing.  The wrinkling was located at a 45-degree angle between 3 ribs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1576A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1576A), registered now, S/N 20-790, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-20-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20-135) (registry code 7102010) (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: 20-790
- Airframe hours: 2440
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Nelson Hines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 01PN, BELLEFONTE, PA
- Destination: UNV, STATE COLLEGE, PA
- Airport: UNV, University Park, runway 24, 6,701 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,201 total, 150 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KUNV

## 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 20070707014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070707014539A), Jul 7, 2007: Piper PA20135, State College, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing rollout on runway 24 pilot applied brakes, planning to return to a taxiway behind the aircraft. While applying brakes aircraft…

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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