# NTSB SEA03LA131: Piper PA-28-161, N125ER, Stuart Island, WA, July 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2003, 20:00 local (Jul 10, 2003, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Stuart Island, WA - Coordinates: 48.673889, -123.175552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6739&lon=-123.1756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57429 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57429/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while maneuvering to land. Contributing factors included the tree and the sunglare condition. ## 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) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot intended to land on runway 09, but changed her mind and elected to land on runway 27 due to a helicopter being on an apron in close proximity to the approach end of runway 09. On a one mile final to runway 27 she could see the runway with no problem, but as she approached the threshold she encountered a sun glare condition which obstructed her vision. The aircraft to veered slightly left and impacted a 15 foot high, 6 inch diameter tree, spinning it 180 degrees to the left before coming to rest in an upright, nose low, tail high attitude. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2003, approximately 2000 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 single-engine airplane, N125ER, was substantially damaged when it impacted an object while landing at the Stuart Island Airpark (7WA5), Stuart Island, Washington. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Snohomish Country Airport (Paine Field), Everett, Washington, at 1920. As reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), and in a written statement to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that upon arrival at 7WA5 she prepared to land on runway 09. However, due to the hilly terrain between the downwind leg and the runway, she didn't observe a helicopter on the west end apron until on final approach. She then performed two consecutive go-arounds, attempting to contact the helicopter pilot while making the second approach, but there was no response. The pilot stated that she then made the decision to land east to west on runway 27, and performed a long one mile final with the runway "clearly" in view. As she approached the runway threshold, she was suddenly and totally blinded by the reflection of the sunglare off the water to the west. This resulted in the aircraft veering slightly left, impacting a tree with its left wing, and spinning the aircraft around 180 degrees before coming to rest in an upright, nose low, tail high attitude. It was reported the left wing spar and aileron were substantially damaged, the nose landing was separated, and both propeller blades were bent aft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N125ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N125ER-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 28-7916200, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7916200 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Judy A. Lord - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2003 - Departed: PAE, Everett, WA - Destination: 7WA5, Stuart Island, WA - Airport: 7WA5, Stuart Island Airpark, runway 27, 2,000 × 55 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 28, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 2,403 total, 770 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: FHR, 11 nm away ## 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 20030709013689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030709013689A), Jul 9, 2003: Piper PA28161, Stewart Island, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that while attempting to land to the west that she had made visual contact with a helicopter that was parked on the apron at the end of 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.