# NTSB WPR13CA372: Piper PA-20, N6939K, Aurora, OR, August 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2013, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Aurora, OR - Coordinates: 45.24139, -122.768608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2414&lon=-122.7686&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA372 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87783/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87783 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA372 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground-loop. ## 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) - [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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right, which caused the airplane to weathervane to the right. He said that due to the airplane's slow speed, left rudder was ineffective, and by the time he applied left brake the airplane had ground-looped. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right, which caused the airplane to weathervane to the right. He said that due to the airplane's slow speed, left rudder was ineffective, and by the time he applied left brake the airplane had ground-looped. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6939K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6939K-2019-01-09), registration cancelled 2019-01-09, S/N 20-43, 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: 20-43 - Year built: 1950 - Airframe hours: 3750 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Csizmazia Joseph - Registered owner: Csizmazia Joseph - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2012 - Departed: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Destination: UAO, Aurora, OR - Airport: UAO, Aurora State, runway 17, 5,004 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,125 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20130814015769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130814015769A), Aug 14, 2013: Piper PA-20, Aurora, OR, Substantial damage. In a quartering wind, pilot lost control of aircraft and ground looped while landing rwy 17 (uao) ## Other investigations on N6939K (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 WPR15LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA190), Jun 18, 2015: Piper PA 20 (N6939K), Yellow Pine, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed decision to go around after realizing that the airplane’s airspeed and altitude were too high, which resulted in an inadequate flare and bounced landing and a subsequent go-around… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87783. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402315&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.