Skip to content

Atlas / NTSB / MIA07CA118

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event MIA07CA118

2007-07-07 State College, Pennsylvania, United States Airport · UNV None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N1576A

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

PIPER PA-20-135

Year of manufacture

1951 · 56 years old at event

Engine

LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 hp)

Seats / Engines

4 seats · 1 engine

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A0E75B

Registrant of record

HILE ADAM V

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that the landing was normal and during the landing roll-out while on the runway, he applied light braking to make a 180-degree turn. The airplane ground looped to the left causing the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing to contact the runway. According to FAA personnel who examined the airplane, the main spar of the left wing was bent upward. A repair estimated provided by a mechanic who performed a visual inspection of the airplane indicated the left wing needed to be replaced. Pictures provided to NTSB by the mechanic showed wrinkling of the fabric on the upper surface of the left wing. The wrinkling was located at a 45-degree angle between 3 ribs. The pilot applied light braking during the landing roll prior to performing a 180-degree turn. When he applied braking the aircraft ground looped to the left, collapsing the left gear and striking the left wing on the runway. The propeller struck the runway while the engine was under power and that he was not injured. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_MIA07CA118.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.