# NTSB SEA83LA002: Piper PA-36, N57608, Mattawa, WA, October 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1982, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Mattawa, WA
- Coordinates: 46.799858, -119.149085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7999&lon=-119.1491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA002

## 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
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON A FARM ROAD TO PICK UP SEED, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ENCOUNTERED A SOFT AREA ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE LEFT AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE USE OF RIGHT RUDDER AND BRAKE. IT TRAVERSED A RECENTLY-FILLED DITCH. AS THE RIGHT GEAR ENCOUNTERED THE SOFT SURFACE, IT COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57608 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-760008
- Airframe hours: 1760
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Sun Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sun Air, Inc.
- Departed: ROYAL CITY, WA
- Destination: ROYAL CITY, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,465 total, 350 in this make and model, 7,173 as pilot in command, 255 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °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 19821001050349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821001050349A), Oct 1, 1982: Piper PA36285, Mattawa, WA, Substantial damage. Left main gear hit a soft spot on landing on a road. Airplane veered off into a ditch, collapsed right main gear.

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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