# NTSB SEA01LA148: Piper PA-24-250, N699WL, Thompson Falls, MT, August 9, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2001, 21:00 local (Aug 9, 2001, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Thompson Falls, MT - Coordinates: 47.559543, -115.44075 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5595&lon=-115.4407&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53397/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation in gusting wind conditions during the landing flare. A tree was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the flare for touch down, a sudden gust of wind lifted the left wing. The pilot applied full power in an attempt to stabilize the upset. The stall horn sounded and the aircraft drifted to the right side of the runway. The pilot was successful in stabilizing the aircraft when the left wing collided with a pine tree. The airplane touched down, collapsing the nose and left main landing gear. The airplane spun around about 180 degrees before coming to rest. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2001, approximately 2100 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N699WL, registered to and operated by the private pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a tree just prior to landing at Thompson Falls airport, Thompson Falls, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed from Great Falls, Montana, about one-and-a half hours prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the flare for touch down, a sudden gust of wind lifted the left wing and "pitched the plane over at 90 degree angle and up." The pilot applied full power in an attempt to stabilize the upset. The stall horn sounded and the aircraft drifted to the right side of the runway. The pilot was successful in lowering the nose of the airplane when the left wing struck a pine tree. The airplane descended to the ground, collapsing the nose and left main landing gear. The airplane spun around about 180 degrees before coming to rest. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. The pilot reported the wind from 70 degrees at 10 to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N699WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N699WL-2003-11-12), registration cancelled 2003-11-12, S/N 24-1973, built 1960 (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: 24-1973 - Airframe hours: 3061 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bernard J. Stender - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2000, 70 hours before - Departed: GTF, Great Falls, MT - Destination: Thompson Falls, MT - Airport: THM, Thompson Falls, runway 07, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 10, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 70 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 20010808020759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010808020759A), Aug 8, 2001: Piper PA24250, Thompson Falls, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated that just after touchdown on runway 7, Thompson Falls, Montana, he encountered a strong gust of wind across the runway, causing loss of… 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.