# NTSB SEA95LA090: Piper PA-22-150, N2520P, Rice, WA, April 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 1995, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Rice, WA - Coordinates: 48.419322, -118.109619 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4193&lon=-118.1096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42143/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA090 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER CLIMB RATE. A FACTOR WAS TREES IN THE FLIGHT PATH. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE PERFORMED A SHORT FIELD MANEUVER FROM HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, WITH A NORMAL TAKEOFF ROLL AND WITH THE APPLICATION OF FULL FLAPS AT ROTATION, WHICH HE STATED WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AIRCRAFT MANUAL. HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB, AND MANEUVERED TO AVOID TREES AHEAD, AT OR NEAR STALL SPEED, AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN STALLING SO HE AIMED THE AIRPLANE AT THE TERRAIN, WHERE IT FLIPPED OVER AFTER IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH THREE PERSONS AND OVER 40 GALLONS OF FUEL. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 1995, approximately 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N2520P, was substantially damaged when it nosed over following a forced landing after takeoff from an airstrip near Rice, Washington. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91 and was local in nature, originating from the pilot's personal airstrip. The pilot reported that he planned a short field takeoff. The takeoff roll was normal, and he stated that he applied full flaps at the end of the takeoff run, in accordance with the Piper manual for the aircraft. In a telephone interview, he stated that at 40 feet above ground level, he felt he would be unable to clear trees which were located about 1200 feet beyond the upwind end of the 1800 foot turf runway and in his flight path. He stated that he executed a shallow left turn but was unable to achieve the desired climb rate. He reported that the aircraft was flying at or near stall speed and that he then intentionally lowered the nose and executed a power on descent to a forced landing, during which the aircraft nosed over. In a written statement, he said that at 30 feet altitude, severe downdrafts were encountered and he was unable to clear trees ahead as the climb continued. He initiated a shallow left turn while attempting to climb. He stated that wind shear continued to eliminate ascent; after turning 90 degrees it became apparent that his altitude was insufficient to clear trees. He started, at near stall speed, to turn left towards the north and the aircraft began stalling so he "aimed" the airplane at sand below with wings level, slowly directing the airplane into the ground, where it flipped upon impact. The pilot reported the winds as calm with an estimated temperature of 60 degrees F., and stated that there were no perceived problems with the aircraft's powerplant during the accident. He stated that "wind shear came out of nowhere and caused the plane to be unable to clear trees ahead." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2520P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2520P-1997-01-30), registration cancelled 1997-01-30, S/N 222882 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-2882 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sayre, John R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 257 total, 248 in this make and model, 257 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19950429044099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950429044099A), Apr 29, 1995: Piper PA22150, Rice, WA, Substantial damage. Unable to clear trees on takeoff from short strip. Aborted. Nosed over landing. Blamed downdraft but wind calm. 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.