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NTSB Report

March 25, 2006 · Piper PA-20 · N1579A

South St. Paul, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 25, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
South St. Paul, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-20
Tail Number
N1579A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI06LA100

The tailwheel airplane veered off the left side of runway 16 during the landing roll. The pilot reported that he had been practicing full-stop landings, and that all of his previous landings that day had been uneventful. The pilot stated that the airplane touched down in a three-point stance and was tracking down the runway. After touchdown, the pilot reported he had the flight control yoke pulled all the way back, engine power all the way off, and he was braking evenly to bring the airplane to a stop. During the landing roll, the pilot related the airplane veered to the left without warning. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane departed off the left side of the runway. The pilot noted having 19.6 hours in tailwheel airplanes, which included 12.6 hours in the same make/model as the accident airplane. The wind conditions at the time of the accident were from 360 degrees magnetic at 4 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll, which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear. A factor associated with the accident was a tailwind.

Full Narrative

On March 25, 2006, at 1220 central standard time, a Piper PA-20, N1579A, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged while landing on runway 16 (4,001 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the South St. Paul Municipal Airport (SGS), South St. Paul, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight departed Faribault Municipal Airport (FBL), Faribault, Minnesota, at 1130. The pilot reported that he had been practicing full-stop landings and that all of his previous landings that day had been "uneventful." The pilot stated that the airplane touched-down in a "three-point stance tracking down the runway." After touchdown, the pilot reportedly had the flight control yoke "pulled all the way back", engine power "all the way off", and he was braking "evenly to bring the airplane to a stop." During landing roll the airplane "veered to the left without warning." The right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane departed off the left side of the runway. The pilot noted having 19.6 hours in tailwheel airplanes, which included 12.6 hours in the same make/model as the accident airplane. The wind conditions at the time of the accident were from 360 degrees magnetic at 4 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:20 CST
Nearest AirportSouth St. Paul Municipal (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length4001 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-20
Tail NumberN1579A
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 27 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time18:14
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data