Summary
On August 14, 2013, a Piper PA-20 (N6939K) was involved in an incident near Aurora, OR. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground-loop.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA372. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6939K.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground-loop.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA372