# NTSB SEA90FA149: Piper PA-22-150, N9978D, Leavenworth, WA, July 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1990, 20:30 local (Jul 30, 1990, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Leavenworth, WA
- Coordinates: 47.810298, -120.859474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8103&lon=-120.8595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA149

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT IN PREFLIGHT PLANNING WHEN DEPARTING TOWARD RISING TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE HIS DECISION TO ATTEMPT A CLIMB-OUT WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED, AND THE MINIMAL PERFORMANCE DATA AVAILABLE TO HIM UPON WHICH HE COULD BASE HIS DECISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight manuals - conflicting (contributing factor)
  - performance data - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE MODIFIED PIPER PA-22 WAITED AT THE AIRSTRIP UNTIL THE TEMPERATURE COOLED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BEFORE DUSK. HE STATED THAT HE USED FULL FLAPS FOR CLIMBOUT, A TECHNIQUE WHICH HE BELIEVED TO BE RECOMMENDED BY THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9978D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9978D-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 22-6769, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6769
- Airframe hours: 3176
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-C1 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David E. Demaray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1989, 46 hours before
- Departed: WA32
- Destination: S13, MARTHA'S LAKE, WA
- Airport: WA32, Leavenworth, runway 27, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 543 total, 148 in this make and model, 543 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19900729029139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900729029139A), Jul 29, 1990: Piper STCPA22, Leavenworth, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried to depart near gross weight. Hot and humid with full flaps. Settled into trees off departure end of runway.

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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