# NTSB SEA04LA075: Piper PA-20, N7631K, North Bend, WA, April 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 2004, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: North Bend, WA - Coordinates: 47.383335, -122.538612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3833&lon=-122.5386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59143/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll. A rough landing surface and tailwind gusts were factors. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in flight, he heard a "flapping sound" and since he was near an airstrip, he decided to land to check the aircraft. The pilot stated that when he was abeam the windsock, which is located near mid-field, he noted that the sock was limp. Since he was already on the downwind for runway 26, he continued in the pattern for landing. The pilot reported that the aircraft was a little high on final approach, so he slipped the aircraft to attain the correct altitude. Just prior to touchdown, the pilot felt a tailwind gust which pushed the aircraft. The pilot continued the landing and the aircraft touched down about one-third of the way down the airstrip. The aircraft rolled for a short distance then became airborne again, subsequently touching down about three-quarters of the way down the airstrip. During the landing roll, the pilot stated that, "...a combination of rough field, tailwind, and braking led to the tail coming up past the point of no return, and on her back we went..." The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest inverted. The wind gusts were reported by the pilot as from the east, with gusts of 8 to 12 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 2004, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N7631K, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, nosed over during the landing roll at Bandera State airstrip, located 11 nautical miles east of North Bend, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Renton, Washington, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that while in flight, he heard a "flapping sound" and since he was near Bandera State, he decided to land to check the aircraft. The pilot stated that when he was abeam the windsock, which is located near mid-field, he noted that the sock was limp. Since he was already on the downwind for runway 26, he continued in the pattern for landing. The pilot reported that the aircraft was a little high on final approach, so he slipped the aircraft to attain the correct altitude. Just prior to touchdown, the pilot felt a tailwind gust which pushed the aircraft. The pilot continued the landing and the aircraft touched down about one-third of the way down the airstrip. The aircraft rolled for a short distance then became airborne again, subsequently touching down about three-quarters of the way down the airstrip. During the landing roll, the pilot stated that, "...a combination of rough field, tailwind, and braking led to the tail coming up past the point of no return, and on her back we went..." The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest inverted. After the accident, the pilot noted that the winds were mostly light, "...except for the occasional extended gusts of 8-12 knots out of the east." Bandera State airstrip is 2,344 feet long by 100 feet wide and turf covered. Runway alignment is 08-26. The strip is owned and maintained by Washington State Department of Transportation. A representative of Washington State Aviation Division reported that the airstrip was still closed for the winter. One windsock is located at about mid-field. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7631K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7631K), registered now, S/N 20-450 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-450 - Airframe hours: 6102 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A3A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brian S. Cole - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2004, 3 hours before - Departed: RNT, Renton, WA - Destination: 4W0, North Bend, WA - Airport: 4W0, Bandera State, runway 26, 2,344 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 21, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 616 total, 235 in this make and model, 501 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 20040429009239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040429009239A), Apr 29, 2004: Piper PA20, Bandera, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that when he landed and on rollout at Bandera State, a combination of rough field, tailwind and braking caused the aircraft to nose over and… ## Other investigations on N7631K (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 MIA70F0087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70F0087), Jul 4, 1969: Piper PA-20 (N7631K), Ravenel, SC, substantial damage 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.