# NTSB SEA89LA123: Piper PA-20, N8986C, Orchards, WA, June 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1989, 18:00 local (Jun 29, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Orchards, WA
- Coordinates: 45.679016, -122.569885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6790&lon=-122.5699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA123

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE LANDING RUNWAY ON TOUCHDOWN AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING GROUND ROLL, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP.

## 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
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE LANDING RUNWAY. HE INDICATED THAT HE LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND DURING THE ENSUING GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8986C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-1052
- Airframe hours: 3896
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Methow Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Curtis, Gary W
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 1988, 36 hours before
- Airport: 056, Clark Co., runway 25, 2,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 86 total, 59 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NUW, 8 nm away

## 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 19890628024479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890628024479A), Jun 28, 1989: Piper PA20, Orchards, WA, Substantial damage. Touched down in a crab angle lost control and ground looped. Damaged both wings and collapsed left main gear.

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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