# NTSB SEA02LA128: Taylorcraft F19, N374D, Heron, MT, July 3, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2002, 19:00 local (Jul 3, 2002, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Heron, MT - Coordinates: 48.058612, -115.956947 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0586&lon=-115.9569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55197 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55197/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55197 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain vertical clearance from trees. Factors include tall trees just off the approach end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot, who was landing at his 1,400 foot private grass airstrip on a clear day with calm winds, made his "normal approach" to runway 34. As soon as he thought he had cleared the trees off the southeast end of the airstrip, he closed the throttle and pushed the nose of the aircraft down in order to maintain the desired airspeed to the end of the runway. But, when he pushed the nose down, the left wing tip collided with a tree that he had not yet cleared, and the aircraft flipped upside down while about 50 feet above the ground and then impacted the terrain. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any problem with the aircraft's flight controls or engine. He further stated that the only reason for the accident was that he failed to make sure he had cleared the trees. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2002, approximately 1900 mountain daylight time, a Taylorcraft F19, N374D, collided with trees while on short final for landing at a private airstrip near Heron, Montana. The aircraft was owned and operated by a commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant. The pilot was not injured, however, the aircraft received substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, departed Sandpoint Airport, Sandpoint, Idaho, approximately 90 minutes prior to the accident, and was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, it was a clear day with calm winds, and he was making his "normal approach" for landing on runway 34 at his 1,400 foot private grass airstrip. As soon as he thought he had cleared the trees off the southeast end of the airstrip, he closed the throttle and pushed the nose of the aircraft down in order to maintain the desired airspeed to the end of the runway. But, when he pushed the nose down, the left wing tip collided with a tree that he had not yet cleared, and the aircraft flipped upside down while about 50 feet above the ground and then impacted the terrain. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any problem with the aircraft's flight controls or engine. He further stated that the only reason for the accident was that he failed to make sure he had cleared the trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: N374D (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft F19 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F108 - Airframe hours: 970 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas C. Compton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2002, 42 hours before - Departed: SZT, Sandpoint, MT - Destination: Heron, MT - Airport: Blue C Ranch, runway 34, 1,400 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 2, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,012 total, 77 in this make and model, 902 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55197. 309 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.