# NTSB SEA85LA192: Piper PA-20, N7765K, Seattle, WA, August 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1985, 21:14 local (Aug 9, 1985, 04:14 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.439121, -122.280868 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4391&lon=-122.2809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA192

## 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
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - previous damage (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - material defect(inadequate quality of material), pilot in command
  - judgment - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

A GROUND LOOP OCCURRED AND THE STEERING SPRING FAILED. THE AIRCRAFT'S STEERING SPRING HAD FAILED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AWAY FROM A REPAIR STATION. THE PILOT MADE A TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT FAILED DURING THIS GROUND LOOP. THE PILOT STATED THAT A COMBINATION OF A GUST OF WIND AND THE BROKEN STEERING SPRING CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7765K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7765K-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 20-593, built 1951 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-593
- Airframe hours: 2495
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Ausman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1985
- Departed: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field Int'L, runway 13, 10,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 788 total, 467 in this make and model, 623 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Observed at: BFI

## 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 19850808054699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850808054699A), Aug 8, 1985: Piper STCPA20, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. During rollout a gust of wind picked up wing and aircraft ground looped. Steering spring had temporary repair.

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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