# NTSB SEA07CA149: Piper PA-16, N5641H, Esparto, CA, June 11, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2007, 17:15 local (Jun 11, 2007, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Esparto, CA
- Coordinates: 38.650276, -122.002502
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6503&lon=-122.0025&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA149

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudgment of altitude resulting in an undershoot.  Factors included the berm and the wind gusts.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that at the south end of his private airstrip was a tomato field with an irrigation ditch that rises about 8 to 10 inches above the flat ground, and that while trying to land to the north in "mildly gusty conditions" (8 to 10 miles per hour variable out of the west-northwest) he clipped a berm.  The pilot revealed that the impact "snapped off" the left landing gear as the airplane continued onto the runway and settled on the left wing and firewall.  The pilot stated that he should have landed a little longer.  No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that at the south end of his private airstrip was a tomato field with an irrigation ditch that rises about 8 to 10 inches above the flat ground, and that while trying to land to the north in "mildly gusty conditions" (8 to 10 miles per hour variable out of the west-northwest) he clipped a berm.  The pilot revealed that the impact "snapped off" the left landing gear as the airplane continued onto the runway and settled on the left wing and firewall.  The pilot stated that he should have landed a little longer.  No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5641H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5641H-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 16-252, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16-252
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jonathan V. Robbins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MCC, McCellan, CA
- Destination: Esparto, CA
- Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 36, 1,800 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 980 total, 300 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 8 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 20070610009579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070610009579A), Jun 10, 2007: Piper PA16, Esparto, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that the winds were gusting, but not any worse than he has encountered before, at his private landing strip. He came in low and hit an…

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.

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