# NTSB LAX08CA278: Piper PA-22, N2441P, St. Paul, OR, July 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2008, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: St. Paul, OR - Coordinates: 44.572212, -122.070785 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5722&lon=-122.0708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68783/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA278 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged altitude, speed, and subsequent failure to attain the proper touchdown point while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on a gravel bar of a river. He made one full-stop landing, and took off for a second landing. The winds were light and he attempted a shorter landing. The wheels contacted the 1-foot-deep water about 30 feet before reaching the landing zone. The airplane pitched forward and in response he applied full back stick pressure and added power. The airplane continued pitching and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was landing on a gravel bar. He made one full stop landing, and took off for a second landing. The winds were light, and he attempted a shorter landing. The wheels contacted the 1-foot-deep water about 30 feet before reaching the landing zone. The airplane pitched forward; he applied full back stick pressure and added power. The airplane nosed in, resulting in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the accident on August 25, 2008. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2441P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2441P-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 22-2812, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-2812 - Airframe hours: 3064 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2008, 17 hours before - Departed: 7S3, Hillsboro, OR - Destination: 7S3, Hillsboro, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 9, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 501 total, 42 in this make and model, 501 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080731843079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080731843079A), Jul 31, 2008: Piper PA22150, St Paul, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was practicing touch and goes on a sandbar in the williamette river near st. Paul, Oregon. According to the pilot, he missed the sandbar,… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.