Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Wind gusts and the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions were factors.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On January 21, 2005, about 1115 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-20, N1535A, registered to and flown by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground looped the aircraft during the landing roll and collapsed the right main landing gear. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the private pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured.
The pilot reported that during the three point landing on runway 11, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind from the left side which raised the left wing and moved the aircraft to the right. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control by applying corrections with rudder, aileron and braking action. The aircraft exited the runway surface where the right main landing gear collapsed when the aircraft traveled over the soft surface. The right wing contacted the runway surface, damaging the wing spar.
At 1056, the Lewiston surface observation was reporting a wind from 50 degrees at seven knots. Visibility was 10 miles and clear.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA05LA039