# NTSB SEA89LA178: Piper PA-32-260, N3660W, Portland, OR, September 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1989, 13:21 local (20:21 UTC)
- Place: Portland, OR
- Coordinates: 45.56998, -122.590789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5700&lon=-122.5908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA178

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WAKE TURBULENCE AND REMEDIAL ACTION NOT POSSIBLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, APPROACHING THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT WAS CLEARED TO LAND AND CAUTIONED OF WAKE TURBULENCE FROM A LARGE AIRPLANE LANDING AHEAD OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE. THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO KEEP A TIGHT PATTERN AND FOLLOW THE LARGE AIRPLANE. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED THE WAKE TURBULENCE OF THE LARGE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3660W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3660W-1992-04-02), registration cancelled 1992-04-02, S/N 32567 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-567
- Airframe hours: 5455
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nepple, John G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1989, 53 hours before
- Departed: YVR, VANCOUVER, OF
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PDX, Portland, runway 28R, 8,004 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,800 total, 400 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX

## 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 19890926036199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890926036199A), Sep 26, 1989: Piper PA32260, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. Low and close to a landing 727 lost control in wake turbulence on short final. Dragged a wing and flipped over.

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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