N7004K

Substantial
None

Piper PA-20-115S/N: 20-109

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, July 30, 2005
NTSB Number
SEA05CA156
Location
Weiser, ID
Event ID
20050811X01222
Coordinates
44.206111, -115.963607
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and his application of excessive braking as the aircraft started to depart the side of the runway.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N7004K
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
20-109
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
PA-20-115PA20
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
PATCHETT DAVID R
Address
PO BOX 428
Status
Deregistered
City
KASILOF
State / Zip Code
AK 99610-0428
Country
United States

Analysis

On July 30, 2005, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20-115, N7004K, nosed over during the landing roll at Weiser Municipal Airport, Weiser, Idaho. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned by the pilot's brother, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 91 personal proficiency flight, which began at the same location about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, who was practicing his landings, during the landing flare, he inadvertently let the left wing get too low, resulting in the aircraft touching down on its left main gear. Immediately after the left gear touched down on the runway surface, the aircraft started to veer to the right. The pilot was unable to get the aircraft realigned with the runway heading, and as the aircraft continued to veer further to the right, the left wing began to drag across the runway surface. As the aircraft reached the east (right) side of the runway, the pilot applied hard braking to both wheels, and the aircraft nosed over, ending up on its back about 10 feet off the side of the runway. According to the pilot, there were no problems with the aircrafts flight controls or tailwheel steering system. During a discussion with the Investigator-In-charge, the pilot stated that the aircraft simply got away from him, and that as it started to depart the side of the runway, he applied a little too much braking.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA05CA156