# NTSB SEA92LA166: Piper PA-28-160, N5639W, Sisters, OR, July 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1992, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Sisters, OR
- Coordinates: 44.410717, -121.919982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4107&lon=-121.9200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA166

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PIC DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNFAVORABLE WIND (WINDSHIFT) ENCOUNTERED DURING TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL, THE TAILWIND AND HIGH DA WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHIFT DURING TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. HE LOCKED THE BRAKES, AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED PARKED AIRCRAFT ON THE RAMP. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 5928 FT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5639W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5639W-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 28-787, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-787
- Airframe hours: 1815
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herman, Stephen R.
- Registered owner: Herman, Stephen R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1991, 24 hours before
- Destination: RDM, REDMOND, OR
- Airport: 6K5, Sisters, runway 2, 3,550 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 289 total, 53 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 18 °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 19920727027729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920727027729A), Jul 27, 1992: Piper PA28160, Sisters, OR, Substantial damage. Wind shift on liftoff. Aborted. Put on full hand brake locking wheels skidded off runway into parked aircraft.

## Other investigations on N5639W (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 UNK64X2689](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2689), Jul 6, 1964: Piper PA28 (N5639W), Kansas, IL, 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.
