# NTSB SEA89LA140: Piper PA-28-140, N8402C, Vashon, WA, July 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1989, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Vashon, WA
- Coordinates: 47.419589, -122.449707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4196&lon=-122.4497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41054
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41054/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA140

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES), AND SOFT TERRAIN WHERE THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING TAKEOFF, HE ROTATED THE ACFT AT ABOUT MIDPOINT ON THE 1950' STRIP.  AFTER THE ACFT CLIMBED ABOUT 30' AGL, THE STALL WARNING HORN BEGAN TO ACTIVATE STEADILY.  THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL, BUT THE PLT BELIEVED THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE STRIP.  HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF & TO LAND IN A OPEN FIELD TO THE LEFT OF THE STRIP.  DURING THE LANDING ON SOFT TERRAIN, THE NOSE & MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND SOCK INDICATION VARIED FROM WHAT HE NOTED AT THE ACDNT LOCATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8402C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8402C), registered now, S/N 28-7625112, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7625112
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tomie L. Trotter
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: 0S9, PORT TOWNSEND, WA
- Airport: 2S1, Vashon, runway 35, 1,940 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 361 total, 288 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890724025179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890724025179A), Jul 24, 1989: Piper PA28140, Vashon, WA, Substantial damage. Climb poor after takeoff downwind. Stall warning. Aborted late. Landed off airport collapsing the gear.

## Other investigations on N8402C (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 SEA79FYE06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYE06), Nov 24, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N8402C), Bremerton, WA, 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.