# NTSB SEA95LA142: Piper PA-30, N7487Y, Island Park, ID, July 6, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1995, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Island Park, ID
- Coordinates: 44.509704, -111.350936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5097&lon=-111.3509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA142

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WIND GUSTS.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT BLEW THE AIRPLANE OFF TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP JUST AFTER THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF FROM RUNWAY 24. THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR COLLIDED WITH A FENCE THAT PARALLELS THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP WHERE HE REDUCED POWER AND LANDED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF THE WIND WAS FROM 340 DEGREES AT TWO KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO EIGHT KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On July 6, 1995, at 1045 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7487Y, collided with a fence shortly after takeoff from the Henry's Lake Airport, Island Park, Idaho.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The flight was departing from Island Park with an intended destination of Pocatello, Idaho.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot stated that he was departing from runway 24.  As the airplane lifted off at 80 miles per hour, a gust of wind from the right blew the airplane off to the left side of the runway.  The airplane's landing gear collided with a fence that parallels the runway.  The pilot stated that he was able to maneuver the airplane back to the runway where he reduced power and landed on the airstrip.  Approximately 200 yards of wire and fence posts were damaged.

The pilot reported that the wind was from 340 degrees at two knots with gusts to eight knots.

The Idaho Airport Facilities Directory Airport Layout depicts a 4,600 foot by 170 foot turf airstrip that is surrounded by an electric fence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7487Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7487Y-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 30-548, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-548
- Airframe hours: 9457
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-CIA 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul K. Sharp
- Registered owner: Robert W. Switzer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1994, 93 hours before
- Destination: PIH, POCATELLO, ID
- Airport: U53, Henry'S Lake, runway 24, 4,600 × 170 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 451 total, 54 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Observed at: WYS, 10 nm away

## 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 19950706016689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950706016689A), Jul 6, 1995: Piper PA30, Lake/Island Par, ID, Substantial damage. On takeoff wind gust blew the plane off side of runway. Landing gear hit parallel fence. Aborted. Landed on 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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