# NTSB SEA95LA215: Socata Rallye 150 ST, N308RA, Yakima, WA, September 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1995, 13:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: Yakima, WA
- Coordinates: 46.75904, -120.679573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7590&lon=-120.6796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA215

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.  THE DOWNDRAFT WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF HE NOTED THAT THE WIND SOCK WAS LIMP. AFTER TAKEOFF AND AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A SINK RATE THAT THE PILOT FELT THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT OUT CLIMB. THE PILOT ELECTED TO INITIATE AN OFF AIRSTRIP LANDING AND SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND ROUGH TERRAIN. THE PILOT STATED THAT A TEN KNOT WIND WAS PRESENT OVER THE RIVER NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY, ALONG WITH TURBULENT CONDITIONS OVER TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END.

## Factual narrative

On September 10, 1995, at 1308 Pacific daylight time, a S.O.C.A.T.A. Rallye 150 ST, N308RA, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Yakima, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his two passengers were not injured.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that prior to takeoff he noted that the windsock was slack.  The pilot elected to take off on runway 27, and stated that the airplane climbed to approximately 100 feet then experienced a sink rate that the pilot felt the airplane could not out climb.  The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field where during the landing roll, the airplane collided with trees and rough terrain.

The pilot stated that a ten knot wind was present over the river near the end of the runway, along with turbulent conditions over trees at the departure end.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N308RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N308RA-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 2993, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SOCATA RALLYE 150 ST (RALLYE 150)
- Registry model: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-o-c-a-t-a-rallye-150-st) (registry code 8400125) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2993
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mccormick, Robert E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 1994, 15 hours before
- Airport: runway 27, 2,300 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 967 total, 720 in this make and model, 921 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YKM, 5 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 19950910028219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950910028219A), Sep 10, 1995: Socata RALLYE150ST, Yakima, WA, Substantial damage. Unable to clear obstructions on takeoff. Force landed. Struck trees. Blamed downdraft and turbulence. Wind light.

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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