# NTSB SEA04LA044: Piper PA-20, N7321K, Laurel, MT, February 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 2004, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT - Coordinates: 45.705276, -108.75 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7053&lon=-108.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA044 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll. Inadequate remedial action was a factor. ## Analysis The student pilot reported that after completing some flight training with his instructor, he then prepared for his first solo flight to accomplish touch-and-go landings. The student stated that the first landing was without incident. During the second landing, the student reported that it was "rough" and he "powered then brought it in again." The landing was soft but the aircraft was sideways to runway heading. The student then reached down to release the flaps and, "As I did I began to wander." The student stated that he only meant to "touch the brakes, but apparently I applied too much." The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest inverted. Post accident inspection of the wheels and brakes found no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 2004, about 0800 mountain standard time a Piper PA-20, N7321K, registered to and operated by the student pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flight, nosed over during the landing roll at Laurel Municipal Airport, Laurel, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that after completing some flight training with his instructor, the student pilot prepared for his first solo flight to accomplish touch-and-go landings. The student stated that the first landing was without incident. During the second landing, the student reported that it was "rough" and he "powered then brought it in again." The landing was soft but the aircraft was sideways to runway heading. The student then reached down to release the flaps and, "As I did I began to wander." The student stated that he only meant to "touch the brakes, but apparently I applied too much." The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest inverted. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Helena, Montana, Flight Standards District Office was in the area of the Laurel Airport at the time of the accident. The Inspector reported that evidence of skid marks and propeller strikes were noted on the runway surface. The wheels and brakes were inspected and no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction were found. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7321K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7321K-2020-02-21), registration cancelled 2020-02-21, S/N 20-239, 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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-221 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fred W. Wallis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6S8, Laurel, MT - Airport: 6S8, Laurel Municipal, runway 22, 3,775 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 53; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 56 total, 16 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: BIL, 11 nm away 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.