# NTSB SEA95LA091: North American SNJ-4, N2269N, Prospect, OR, April 4, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1995, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Prospect, OR
- Coordinates: 42.779125, -122.489143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7791&lon=-122.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42144
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42144/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA091

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WET GRASS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MADE A 'PERFECT' WHEEL LANDING AFTER A TEST FLIGHT IN THE RECENTLY REBUILT AIRCRAFT.  WHEN HE LET THE TAIL DOWN, THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TURNING TO THE RIGHT.  THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT, BECAUSE OF THE WET RUNWAY, HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE TURN TO THE RIGHT AND THE AIRCRAFT RAN OVER A BERM, COLLAPSING THE LEFT LANDING GEAR AND DAMAGING THE LEFT WING.

## Factual narrative

On April 4, 1995, about 1415 hours Pacific daylight time, N2269N, a North American SNJ-4, was substantially damaged when The pilot lost directional control during landing at his private airstrip near Prospect, Oregon.  The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, the pilot was making his first solo flight in the airplane, which had just been rebuilt.  The pilot stated that the aircraft turned to the right after he had lowered the tail during a "perfect" wheel landing.  The pilot stated that he was unable to stop the movement to the right due to the wet runway.  The aircraft ran over a berm, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was substantially damaged during impact with the ground.  The pilot told the FAA inspector that he "just blew it" on the landing.  No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2269N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2269N), registered now, S/N 88-12427, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-4
- Registry model: [North American-Medore SNJ-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-medore-snj-4) (registry code 6400413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney W-S1H&S3H](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-w-s1h-s3h) (registry code 52012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 88-12427
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene F. Burrill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Burrill

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total, 75 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19950404013839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950404013839A), Apr 4, 1995: Namer SNJ4, Prospect, OR, Substantial damage. On test flight of rebuilt plane. Made wheel landing, lost control when tail came down. Exited runway. Struck berm.

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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