On October 25, 2003, a Piper PA-20 (registration N7409K) was involved in an aviation accident near Petaluma, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control that resulted in a ground loop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane ground looped to the right during landing roll after touching down with full flaps and idle engine. The left wing tip and propeller struck the ground, and the left main landing gear collapsed. Wind was light quartering headwind.
Incident Description
During the landing roll, the airplane experienced a ground loop to the right. The pilot had configured the airplane for landing with full flaps and the engine at idle. As the airplane rolled along the runway, it swerved right and came to rest approximately 70 degrees from the runway heading.
Damage
The ground loop brought the left wing tip and propeller into contact with the ground. The left main landing gear collapsed as a result of the event.
Environmental Conditions
A light quartering headwind was present at the time. The wind was reported from 170 degrees at 4 knots, gusting to 8 knots.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that the airplane had no mechanical discrepancies prior to the incident.