# NTSB SEA03LA053: Piper PA-28-140, N4961T, Troutdale, OR, March 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 2003, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Troutdale, OR - Coordinates: 45.533332, -122.402221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5333&lon=-122.4022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56718 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56718/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA053 ## Probable cause Aircraft control was not maintained during the landing roll. An improper flare which resulted in a bounced landing was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The student pilot reported that after returning from the practice area, he was going to do a couple of touch-and-go landings. The first landing was without incident. During the second approach, the aircraft was not lined up with the runway and the student did a go-around. During the third approach, the student stated that the aircraft landed and the next thing he remembered was looking at the ground from the cockpit. The students flight instructor witnessed the third landing and stated that the aircraft touched down and "bounced a little" then settled when he heard power being applied. The aircraft then veered to the left. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the aircraft continued off the side of the runway. The nose gear sheared off and the airplane nosed down. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 2003, approximately 1315 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4961T, registered to a private owner and operated by a student pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight, veered off the side of the runway at Portland-Troutdale Airport, Troutdale, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that after returning from the practice area, he was going to do a couple of touch-and-go landings. The first landing was without incident. The second approach, the aircraft was left of centerline and the student performed a go-around. The student pilot stated that during the third approach, "landed and the next thing I remember is looking at the ground from the cockpit." The student's flight instructor, who was watching the flight, reported that this was the student's second solo flight. The instructor stated that the student accomplished one successful landing on runway 25. During the second landing attempt, the student initiated a go-around. The instructor stated that during the third attempt, the aircraft touched down and "bounced a little" then settled when he heard power being applied. The aircraft then veered to the left. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the aircraft continued off the side of the runway. The nose gear sheared off and the airplane nosed down. Inspection of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, reported that the lower right section of the firewall was wrinkled around the engine mount, the right wing tip was damaged and the nose gear was sheared off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4961T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4961T), registered now, S/N 28-7225289, built 1972 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7225289 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: David J. Guild - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2003 - Departed: TTD, Troutdale, OR - Airport: TTD, Portland-Troutdale, runway 25, 5,399 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 12 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: TTD ## 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 20030330003609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030330003609A), Mar 30, 2003: Piper PA28140, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) The student pilot logbook showed the first soloflight was completed on 3/28/03. Student certificate was endorsed per FAR for solo flight in the… 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.