# NTSB SEA87LA095: Piper PA-20-115, N7732K, Seattle, WA, May 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1987, 14:58 local (21:58 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Location: 47.5300° N, 122.3019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BOEING FLD/KING COUNTY INTL (BFI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5300&lon=-122.3019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA095

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL WITH A CROSSWIND FROM THE RIGHT A GROUND LOOP OCCURRED. THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE WIND WAS FROM 210 DEGREES AT 9 KNOTS. THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 13L.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7732K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7732K), registered now, S/N 20-555, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20-115
- 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: 20560
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290C1 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harvey D. Shelby
- Registered owner: Harvey D Shelby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1986
- Departed: TTD, TROUTDALE, WA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field, runway 13L, 10,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- 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 19870510075689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870510075689A), May 10, 1987: Piper PA20, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. Allowed the PA20 to ground loop on the landing roll.

## Other investigations on N7732K (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI93LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA151), Mar 30, 1993: Piper PA-20 (N7732K), Lapeer, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
- [NTSB CHI91LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA271), Aug 25, 1991: Piper PA-20 (N7732K), Saginaw, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A CROSSWIND.

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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