# NTSB SEA03LA035: Piper PA-28-140, N75392, Prosser, WA, February 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 1, 2003, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Prosser, WA - Coordinates: 46.212223, -119.792778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2122&lon=-119.7928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56435/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56435 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA035 ## Probable cause Improper flare while landing. Factors include rough uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that his descent to the airport and approach to runway 25 was normal with the exception of a minor crosswind correction for winds blowing from the north. The pilot reported that when the airplane touched down it momentarily ballooned and drifted to the left (south). He stated that he held the airplane "steady" and when the airplane touched down a second time, it touched down on the runway edge with the left wheel off the runway. The airplane turned sharply to the south and exited the runway. After exiting the runway the airplane traveled across rough uneven terrain and an adjacent taxiway, eventually coming to rest south of the intended runway. No mechanical difficulties or malfunctions were reported. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 2003, about 1430 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N75392, sustained substantial damage when the airplane departed the runway edge and encountered rough terrain during landing at the Prosser Municipal Airport, Prosser, Washington. The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane is owned by Noland Decoto Flying Service of Yakima, Washington, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had been filed. The round-robin cross-country flight originated from Yakima, with intermediate stops in Walla Walla, Washington, and Prosser. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board on February 4, and subsequent written report dated February 6, the student pilot reported that his descent to the airport and approach to runway 25 was normal with the exception of a minor crosswind correction for winds blowing from the north. The pilot reported that when the airplane touched down it momentarily ballooned and drifted to the left (south). He stated that he held the airplane "steady" and when the airplane touched down a second time, it touched down on the runway edge with the left wheel off the runway. The airplane turned sharply to the south and exited the runway. After exiting the runway the airplane traveled across rough uneven terrain and an adjacent taxiway, eventually coming to rest south of the intended runway. No mechanical difficulties or malfunctions were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75392](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75392), registered now, S/N 28-7625217, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0320-E3D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0320-e3d) (registry code 42398, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 287625217 - Airframe hours: 6868 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Noland Decoto Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 2002, 36 hours before - Departed: ALW, WALLA WALLA, WA - Destination: S40, PROSSER, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: S40, Prosser, runway 25, 3,440 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 14 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 20030201001069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030201001069A), Feb 1, 2003: Piper PA28140, Prosser, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot states he made normal approach to the runway. The aircraft touched down, bounced, and yawed to the left. When it touched down the second time, the… ## Other investigations on N75392 (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 GAA21WA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA025), Feb 20, 2021: Piper PA-28-140 (N75392), North Cat Cay, Bahamas, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56435. 486 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 486 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392492&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.