# NTSB SEA01LA135: Piper PA-28-180, N4231T, Oak Harbor, WA, July 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 2001, 19:00 local (Jul 19, 2001, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Oak Harbor, WA - Coordinates: 48.340736, -122.66957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3407&lon=-122.6696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53395/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA135 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate remedial action while on final approach. The encounter with wake turbulence was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The accident aircraft was sequenced in the pattern with a Navy P-3 (Lockheed 4-engine) aircraft that was doing touch-and-go landings. While the accident aircraft was on short final, the aircraft rolled violently to the right about 60 to 90 degrees. The pilot attempted to recover from the roll, however, during the maneuver, the right wing struck the runway surface. The aircraft touched down, collapsing the nose gear. The aircraft slid approximately 60 feet before coming to rest on the runway's edge. ## Factual narrative On July 18, 2001, approximately 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4231T, registered to and operated by Whidbey Island Navy Flying Club as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, landed hard at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Oak Harbor, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor and private pilot were not injured. The flight was scheduled for a 1.5 hour flight in the local area with a stop at Bremerton, Washington. The manager of the flying club reported that the accident aircraft was sequenced in the pattern with a Navy P-3 (Lockheed 4-engine) aircraft that was doing touch-and-go landings. When the accident aircraft was on short final to runway 25, the aircraft "rolled violently to the right (60-90 degrees)." The pilot attempted to recover from the roll, however, during the maneuver, the right wing struck the runway surface. The aircraft touched down, collapsing the nose gear. The aircraft slid approximately 60 feet before coming to rest on the runway's edge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4231T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4231T-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 28-7205107, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7205107 - Airframe hours: 5151 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Whidbey Island Navy Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 2001, 43 hours before - Departed: PWT, Bremerton, WA - Destination: Oak Harbor, WA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: NUW, Whidbey Island NAS-AULT, runway 25, 8,000 × 200 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 114 total, 3 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days - Check pilot; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: NUW ## 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 20010718020679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010718020679A), Jul 18, 2001: Piper PA28180, Oakharbor, WA, No damage. (-23) On July 18, 2001, while on approach to 25 long, N4231T was following a P-3 in the touch and go pattern. N4231T encountered wake turbulence. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N4231T (1) 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 CHI74DEK07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEK07), Oct 28, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N4231T), Pandora, OH, substantial damage 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.