# NTSB SEA08CA141: Piper PA-20, N7076K, Fields, OR, May 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2008, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Fields, OR - Coordinates: 42.333332, -118.333335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3333&lon=-118.3333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68101 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68101/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA141 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach. Contributing to the accident was a windshear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that on final approach to the unimproved landing site, at about 50 feet above ground level, he detected a "sinking feeling," followed by a "drastic" loss of airspeed. The pilot stated that he applied full throttle in an attempt to go around, but the sinking continued and the airplane "pancaked" onto the ground. The pilot reported that he had not encountered any turbulence during the flight, but there were [rain] showers within approximately 10 miles of the landing site. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage to both main landing gear and the fuselage. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that on final approach to the unimproved landing site, at about 50 feet above ground level, he detected a "sinking feeling," followed by a "drastic" loss of airspeed. The pilot stated that he applied full throttle in an attempt to go around, but the sinking continued and the airplane "pancaked" onto the ground. The pilot reported that he had not encountered any turbulence during the flight, but there were [rain] showers within approximately 10 miles of the landing site. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage to both main landing gear and the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7076K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7076K-2009-08-10), registration cancelled 2009-08-10, S/N 20-183, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-183 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Marcus M Henderson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: E85, Denio, OR - Destination: Fields, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 113 total, 54 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: REO ## 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 20080525836159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080525836159A), May 25, 2008: Piper PA20, Fields, OR, Substantial damage. (-23)VFR flight from denio, NV (E85) to off airport site 20 miles east of Fields, Oregon. On final approach to landing, at about 50 feet above ground level,… ## Other investigations on N7076K (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 FTW73FRA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FRA25), Apr 25, 1973: Piper PA-20 (N7076K), Vidor, TX, 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.