# NTSB MKC82DA139: Piper PA-20, N1970A, Scottsbluff, NE, August 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1982, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Scottsbluff, NE
- Coordinates: 41.859981, -103.660987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8600&lon=-103.6610&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 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - hydraulic system - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT RAISED THE TAIL AT ABOUT 50 MPH AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT. DESPITE THE PILOT'S COUNTERMEASURES, IT DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE RIGHT GEAR THEN COLLAPSED AND THE RIGHT WING AND PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED. AN INSPECTION OF THE LEFT BRAKE REVEALED THAT THE COMPENSATING PORT ON THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS PLUGGED WITH DIRT. THIS WAS BINDING THE LEFT BRAKE TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD BARELY ROTATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1970A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1970A-1997-03-13), registration cancelled 1997-03-13, S/N 20879 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-879
- Airframe hours: 2175
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Albin I. Reynolds
- Registered owner: Albin I. Reynolds
- Departed: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
- Destination: RWL, RAWLINS, WY
- Airport: BFF, Scottsbluff County, runway 12, 8,280 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 240 total, 238 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFF

## 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 19820809035289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820809035289A), Aug 9, 1982: Piper PA20, Scottsbluff, NE, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll, veered off runway, collapsed gear. Plugged brake master cylinder port.

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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