# NTSB SEA01LA129: Piper PA-24-250, N7994P, Fragaria, WA, July 7, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2001, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Fragaria, WA - Coordinates: 47.459667, -122.650802 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4597&lon=-122.6508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate directional control. Contributing factors were the embankment and the deer. ## Analysis The pilot landed the Piper PA-24-250, 200-300 feet beyond the displaced threshold of the 2,200 foot long dry, upsloping, grass runway. After touchdown he observed a deer standing slightly right of the runway centerline and chose not to attempt a go-around maneuver on the unidirectional runway because of the upsloping runway condition and tall trees at the north end. The pilot believed that the deer was too close to allow the aircraft to stop in time and thus maneuvered to the left side of the runway trying to avoid a collision. He applied full brakes and during the landing roll, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway encountering an embankment and ground looping to a stop. The pilot reported that the runway width was 50 feet with an approximate 25 feet of additional surface outboard of each side of the runway. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2001, approximately 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N7994P, registered to and being flown by a private pilot was substantially damaged during an on-ground collision with trees and a deer during landing roll at Vaughan Ranch Airfield, near Fragaria, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, about 1020 on the morning of the accident. The pilot reported that upon arrival at the Vaughn private airstrip he entered the traffic pattern for landing. He further reported that, "...Upon aligning with the runway [02], I lowered full flaps and verified that the runway was clear...." The pilot slowed his approach speed to 85 miles per hour, adjusted his glide slope to clear the trees at the approach end of the 2,200 foot long grass runway, and touched down about 200-300 feet beyond the displaced threshold. He continued reporting "I...saw a deer standing slightly right of centerline at approximately 1/3 to1/2 way along the length of the runway...." The pilot chose not to attempt a go-around maneuver on the unidirectional runway because of the upsloping runway and tall trees at the north end. The pilot further reported, "...I applied full brakes and watched the deer turn to look my direction then look away but it remained standing in the same spot. The deer was too close to allow the aircraft to stop in time and was facing slightly to the right so I maneuvered to the left side of the runway trying to avoid collision with the deer. The airplane continued to the left until the left wing and landing gear contacted an embankment on the left side of the runway...." The aircraft was traveling about 30-40 miles per hour when it ground looped and came to rest along the left edge of the runway. The pilot reported that the runway width was 50 feet with an approximate 25 feet additional surface outboard of each side of the runway. He also reported that there were tall trees on either side of the runway and at the runway's north end. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - animal(s) (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7994P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7994P), registered now, S/N 24-3235 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3235 - Airframe hours: 6628 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Love, Stephen W. - Registered owner: 94P Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 2001, 85 hours before - Departed: BFI, Seattle, WA - Destination: WN13, Fragaria, WA - Airport: WN13, Vaughn, runway 02, 2,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 3, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 533 total, 279 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: SEA, 11 nm away ## 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 20010707020789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010707020789A), Jul 7, 2001: Piper PA24250, Port Orchard, WA, No damage. (-23) On July 7, 2001, approximately 1030 pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-250, N7994, being flown by private pilot stephen w. love was substantially… ## Other investigations on N7994P (4) 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. - [NTSB OAK72DVM08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVM08), Oct 24, 1971: Piper PA-24 (N7994P), San Carlos, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK71DVM39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71DVM39), Feb 13, 1971: Piper PA-24 (N7994P), San Jose, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW70F0288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70F0288), Nov 2, 1969: Piper PA-24 (N7994P), Little Rock, AR, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW68F0298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0298-110707), May 27, 1968: Piper PA-24 (N7994P), Burleson, TX, destroyed 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.