# NTSB SEA95LA196: Piper PA-28-140, N9675W, Arock, OR, August 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 1995, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Arock, OR - Location: 42.9140° N, 117.5252° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arock, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9140&lon=-117.5252&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42234 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42234/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA196 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF FROM A DIRT ROAD. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD LANDED ON A DIRT ROAD DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT BECAUSE BOTH HIS PASSENGERS HAD BECOME AIRSICK. DURING THE ENSUING TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE WING SUSTAINED DAMAGE WHEN IT IMPACTED TERRAIN AND ROCKS. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF, BUT BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE AND HIS SUSPICION THAT THE RUDDER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, HE DECIDED TO LAND AGAIN ON A HIGHWAY. DURING THIS LANDING, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A MILE MARKER AND A DITCH. NO EVIDENCE OF A RUDDER CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR OTHER MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 1995, approximately 0900 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N9675W, collided with the terrain during an emergency landing attempted after the airplane sustained damage in an off-airport takeoff from a road near Arock, Oregon. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which took off from a dirt road less than five minutes before the accident, had originally been en route from Caldwell, Idaho, to Marysville, California. The aircraft was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, and the flight was on a VFR flight plan. The ELT activated, but did not assist in locating the wreckage. According to the pilot, he landed on a dirt road near Arock because both of his passengers had become airsick. During the ensuing takeoff, the aircraft drifted to the side of the road just as it became airborne. During this sequence, the aircraft's wing impacted the terrain and sustained damage. The pilot continued the takeoff, but because of the damage sustained on takeoff and his suspicion that the rudder was not functioning properly, he decided to land on a nearby highway. During this landing, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control after touchdown, and the airplane struck a mile marker and sustained additional damage. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including separation of the left main landing gear, when it impacted a ditch alongside the highway. The pilot believed that he had insufficient rudder control authority available to him during his takeoff from the dirt road. FAA inspectors found no mechanical discrepancies in the rudder control system of the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9675W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9675W-2017-03-24), registration cancelled 2017-03-24, S/N 28-23141, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-23141 - Airframe hours: 2755 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ballard, Thomas W. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1994, 98 hours before - Departed: OR - Destination: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 197 total, 104 in this make and model, 68 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19950829026849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950829026849A), Aug 29, 1995: Piper PA28140, Arock, OR, Substantial damage. Landed on road due sick passengers. Damaged wing on takeoff. Landed again on road. Lost control ran into ditch. 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.