# NTSB SEA90LA168: Piper PA24-250, N5642P, Lagrande, OR, August 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1990, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Lagrande, OR
- Coordinates: 45.319065, -118.199768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3191&lon=-118.1998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41264/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA168

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT ALLOW THE AIRPLANE TO ATTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED PRIOR TO THE RETRACTION OF FLAPS AND LANDING GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER LIFT OFF FROM A DIRT STRIP, WITH GUSTING TAILWIND CONDITIONS, THE PILOT RETRACTED THE FLAPS AND LANDING GEAR. THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5642P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5642P-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 24-712, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-712
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Deyo, James C
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: LGD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 495 total, 225 in this make and model, 407 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900826036349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900826036349A), Aug 26, 1990: Piper PA24250, Lagrande, OR, Destroyed. Tried to depart downwind. Lifted late settled and collided wiht ledge on canyon wall.

## Other investigations on N5642P (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 OAK72FXQ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72FXQ10), Jul 24, 1971: Piper PA-24 (N5642P), Chester, CA, 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.

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