Piper PA-20 N7321K

Summary

On 24 February 2004 at about 15:00 local time, a Piper PA-20 registered N7321K was involved in an accident near Laurel, Montana, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 February 2004 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Laurel, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Laurel Municipal (6S8)

Coordinates

45.7053, -108.7500

Aircraft

Piper PA-20

Registration

N7321K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Laurel → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA04LA044

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll. Inadequate remedial action was a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that after completing some flight training with his instructor, he then prepared for his first solo flight to accomplish touch-and-go landings. The student stated that the first landing was without incident. During the second landing, the student reported that it was "rough" and he "powered then brought it in again." The landing was soft but the aircraft was sideways to runway heading. The student then reached down to release the flaps and, "As I did I began to wander." The student stated that he only meant to "touch the brakes, but apparently I applied too much." The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest inverted. Post accident inspection of the wheels and brakes found no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.