# NTSB WPR09CA257: Piper PA-20, N1591A, Glendale, AZ, May 20, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 20, 2009, 16:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.526668, -112.294998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5267&lon=-112.2950&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73888/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73888
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA257

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control on the landing roll out.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the flight was normal and he set up for landing, with no unusual drift noted on final approach and with a normal touchdown. The pilot stated that the next thing he recalled was the left wing dropped and the airplane was skidding to the right across the runway and impacting a runway light. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane or the control system.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported a normal flight to the accident airport. He set up for landing in the 50-degree crosswind with no unusual drift noted on final approach, followed by a normal landing. The pilot stated that the next thing he recalled the left wing dropped, and the airplane was skidding to the right across the runway and impacting a runway light. After coming to a stop he obtained permission to taxi the airplane to a tie down spot. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane spun round to the right, which caused structural damage to the left wing and elevator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1591A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1591A), registered now, S/N 20-827, 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: 20-827
- Airframe hours: 3338
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank Klein
- Registered owner: Frank Klein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2009, 17 hours before
- Departed: SJN, St Johns, AZ
- Destination: GEU, Glendale, AZ
- Airport: GEU, Glendale Municipal Airport, runway 01, 7,150 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 2,880 total, 1,973 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observed at: GEU

## 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 20090520008719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090520008719A), May 20, 2009: Piper PA20, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Departed junction city municipal airport, Kansas, made three fuel stops along the way, with a final destination of Glendale Municipal…

## Other investigations on N1591A (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 MKC66D0504](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0504), Mar 19, 1966: Piper PA-20 (N1591A), Mitchell, SD, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73888. 701 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA SDL Damage Assessment (item 2, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20SDL%20Damage%20Assessment-Redacted.PDF

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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