# NTSB SEA91LA180: Piper PA-20, N7458K, Chehalis, WA, July 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1991, 19:00 local (Jul 13, 1991, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Chehalis, WA
- Coordinates: 46.619915, -123.000808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6199&lon=-123.0008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA180

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT.  FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY WINDS AND CROSSWINDS.

## 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)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-20 LANDED WITH AN EIGHT TO TEN KNOT CROSSWIND, AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE ROLLOUT, RESULTING IN A DECELERATING GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7458K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7458K), registered now, S/N 20-370, 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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-370
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles V. & Sandra M. Black
- Registered owner: Charles V. & Sandra M. Black
- Departed: OLM, OLYMPIA, WA
- Destination: CLS, CHEHALIS, WA
- Airport: CLS, Chehalis, runway 33, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,425 total, 186 in this make and model, 1,233 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910712060449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910712060449A), Jul 12, 1991: Piper PA20, Chehalis, WA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing the tail dragger type in a gusty crosswind. The aircraft ground looped.

## Other investigations on N7458K (1)

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 SEA98LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA067), Apr 26, 1998: Piper PA-20 (N7458K), Arlington, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and his delayed remedial action when the aircraft started to drift off the side of the runway.

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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