On June 24, 2007, a Piper PA-20 (registration N5540A) operated by Wayne Brown was involved in an aviation accident near Nenana, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground-loop and main landing gear collapse. Factors contributing to the accident were the ground-loop and landing gear collapse. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot conducted a personal flight and experienced a ground loop during landing, causing the left main landing gear to collapse and damaging the left wing and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies.
Accident Details
A private certificated pilot was performing a personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. During the landing roll, the airplane touched down on the runway centerline and then veered sharply to the right. The pilot applied left rudder and power in an attempt to correct the deviation, but the airplane continued to the right and entered a ground loop.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. He further reported that faster reactions after touchdown might have prevented the accident. The pilot did not elaborate on specific reaction timing or procedures.
Damage
The left main landing gear collapsed during the ground loop, and the left wing struck the ground. As a result, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer sustained damage. No other damage was reported.