# NTSB SEA07CA238: Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 4000, N8179, Blaine, WA, August 26, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 26, 2007, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Blaine, WA
- Coordinates: 48.990001, -122.732223
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.9900&lon=-122.7322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA238

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane departing from the paved runway surface.  Contributing factors were the crosswind and the soft ground.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he touched down smoothly on the centerline of runway 32.  After he lowered the tail of the airplane, a crosswind from the right moved the airplane to the left, resulting in the left wheel departing the side of the runway.  The left wheel dug into the soft ground, and the airplane turned left, exited the runway and encountered a ditch.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.  The pilot reported the winds from 230 degrees at 7 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he touched down smoothly on the centerline of runway 32.  After he lowered the tail of the airplane, a crosswind from the right moved the airplane to the left, resulting in the left wheel departing the side of the runway.  The left wheel dug into the soft ground, and the airplane turned left, exited the runway and encountered a ditch.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The pilot reported the winds from 230 degrees at 7 knots

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8179](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8179), registered now, S/N 972, built 1929 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 4000
- Registry model: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/curtiss-wright-travel-air-4000) (registry code 2621802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright WWJ series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-wwj-series) (registry code 67007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 972
- Engines: Lycoming R-680-13 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ORS, Eastsound, WA
- Destination: 4W6, Blaine, WA
- Airport: 4W6, Blaine Municipal, runway 32, 2,539 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 812 total, 80 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken

## 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 20070826018209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070826018209A), Aug 26, 2007: Curtis TRVAIR4000, Roche Harbor, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing touchdown on centerline of runway, with tailwind down in landing configuration visibility is limited, crosswind from right moved aircraft…

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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