# NTSB MKC83LA043: Piper PA-20, N1961A, Lee'S Summit, MO, December 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1982, 10:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Lee'S Summit, MO
- Coordinates: 38.910652, -94.37976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9107&lon=-94.3798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON A SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT IN A TAIL WHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS OBSERVING FROM ABOUT 300 FT FROM THE TOUCHDOWN POINT. HE STATED THAT THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN HARD, BOUNCED AND TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR HIT A DEPRESSION AND COLLAPSED AS THE PLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1961A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1961A), registered now, S/N 20-878, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- 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: 20-878
- Airframe hours: 878
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Julius C. Malsby
- Registered owner: Julius C. Malsby
- Departed: K84, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO
- Destination: K84, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO
- Airport: K84, Macomas-Lees Summit Muni, runway 18, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19821222064959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821222064959A), Dec 22, 1982: Piper PA20135, Lees Summit, MO, Substantial damage. Student pilot made hard landing then lost directional control causing right landing gear to collapse.

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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