# NTSB SEA89LA079: Piper PA-38-112, N24508, Lacey, WA, May 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1989, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lacey, WA
- Coordinates: 47.01918, -122.789062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0192&lon=-122.7891&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 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41005/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA079

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT DURING THE LANDING. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN LEFT OF THE CENTERLINE AND THE LEFT GEAR ENTERED AN AREA OF TALL GRASS RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24508](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24508-1989-06-28), registration cancelled 1989-06-28, S/N 3879A1127 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 79A1127
- Airframe hours: 1755
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Gamewell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1989, 4 hours before
- Departed: OLM, OLYMPIA, WA
- Airport: Gower Field, runway 6, 1,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 261 total, 228 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19890504010919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890504010919A), May 4, 1989: Piper PA38112, Olympia, WA, Substantial damage. Landed left of centerline, left wheel in tall grass. Veered into scrub brush.

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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