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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 18, 1995 · Piper PA-20 · N6953K

Ogden, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ogden, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-20
Tail Number
N6953K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA153

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AND FELT A VIBRATION DURING THE LANDING ROLL. HE THOUGHT THAT IT MIGHT BE A FLAT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE AS HE WAS HAVING TO INPUT MORE LEFT RUDDER CONTROL TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY CENTERLINE. AS THE AIRPLANE SLOWED, THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AS THE NOSE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED. DURING THE POST CRASH INSPECTION, THE TAILWHEEL PIVOT BOLT WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE. REVIEW OF THE AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS INDICATE THAT IT HAD BEEN 19 MONTHS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. HTE LOOSE TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY BOLT WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On July 17, 1995, at 1935 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N6953K, ground looped after landing at the Ogden Airport, Ogden, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the flight instructor stated that this was his first flight with this student pilot who was preparing to take the private pilot check ride. The student pilot was at the controls for takeoff and the flight stayed in the pattern to practice touch-and-go landings. During the first approach, the flight instructor stated that he took control of the airplane on final approach to demonstrate a procedure to the student. After a three point touchdown, the flight instructor noticed a strange noise and felt a vibration that he couldn't pin down. The flight instructor thought that it may be a flat main landing gear as he was having to input more left rudder control to maintain runway centerline. As the airplane slowed to 10 to 15 knots, the flight instructor stated that he was unable to maintain directional control as the nose of the airplane veered to the right and the airplane ground looped. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Salt Lake City, Utah, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the airplane and found that the tailwheel pivot bolt was loose, which resulted in the tailwheel shimmy during the landing roll. The airframe and engine logbooks indicate that the last annual inspection was performed on 12/16/93. The logbooks list several major repairs and alterations since 12/7/93.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:35 MDT
Nearest AirportOgden-Hinkley (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length5352 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-20
Tail NumberN6953K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 18000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:38
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data