Piper PA 20 N1526A accident near Talkeetna, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground-loop.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot reported that he was practicing landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane to gain more experience in that model while flying in the right seat. He hired a flight instructor who was experienced in the model airplane to provide instruction from the left seat. During the pilot’s second flight in the airplane, while he was performing a 3-point landing, the airplane bounced slightly on the asphalt runway. After bouncing, the tailwheel shimmied, and the airplane immediately ground looped to the right and the left wing and horizontal stabilizer impacted the surface, which resulted in substantial damage.

The flight instructor reported that the pilot was acting as pilot-in-command for the entire flight, and that she was not providing instruction, but rather allowing the pilot to gain flight time from the right seat. During the final approach, she observed that the airplane was about 5 knots fast before the 3-point landing. When the airplane touched down it bounced and then settled down while in a slight right yaw. The airplane immediately turned right upon touch down and the pilot at the controls attempted to correct with left brake, but the left wing impacted the runway.

The pilot had a tailwheel endorsement, a flight instructor certificate and was current for flying as a pilot-in-command. He reported that he was obtaining right seat flight time so that he could instruct in the same model of airplane.

The tailwheel was examined by a mechanic after the accident and determined to function properly.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC20CA082 for the full record.