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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

September 13, 1995 · Piper PA-20 · N7729K

Searcy, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Searcy, AR
Aircraft
Piper PA-20
Tail Number
N7729K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA396

FOLLOWING A SOLO STUDENT PRACTICE LESSON, THE PILOT MADE A TRAFFIC PATTERN ENTRY FOR A FULL STOP WHEEL LANDING ON RUNWAY 19. THE INDICATED AIRSPEED WAS 70 MPH WITH THE FLAPS EXTENDED 20 DEGREES. THE AIRPLANE WAS BANKED 10 DEGREES INTO THE WIND WHICH THE PILOT REPORTED AS 10 KNOTS FROM THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT WHEEL TOUCHED THE RUNWAY FOLLOWED BY THE LEFT WHEEL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED AS A GUST OF WIND STRUCK THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WINGS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WINDS. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.

Full Narrative

On September 13, 1995, at 1330 central daylight time, a Piper PA-20S-135, N7729K, groundlooped while landing at Searcy, Arkansas. The solo student pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated under Title 14, CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight for which no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and on the enclosed Pilot/Operator report, the pilot reported the following information. During a traffic pattern entry, the pilot set "up for a wheel landing" on runway 19. The indicated airspeed of the airplane was 70 mph with the flaps extended 20 degrees and the bank angle "about 10 degrees to the right because of the crosswind." The pilot reported the winds from 270 degrees at 10 knots. During the landing flare/touchdown, "the right main wheel touched down first and my speed decreased." The "left wheel came down, then I was struck by a gust from the right." Subsequently, the airplane groundlooped and came to rest inverted. Wing structural damage was reported.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CDT
Nearest AirportSearcy Municipal (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length5007 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-20
Tail NumberN7729K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D · Reciprocating · 125
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data