# NTSB SEA96LA017: Piper PA-22, N932A, La Grande, OR, November 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1995, 07:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: La Grande, OR
- Coordinates: 45.319419, -118.199592 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3194&lon=-118.1996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42309/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGMENT IN ATTEMPTING FLIGHT IN THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, standing - engine(s) operating
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE POSITIONED THE AIRPLANE IN THE RUN-UP AREA WITH THE NOSE INTO THE WIND. WHILE PERFORMING THE RUN-UP, A SWIRLING GUST OF WIND CONTACTED THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT ADDED POWER TO TRY TO KEEP THE TAIL DOWN, BUT THE TAIL CONTINUED TO RISE AND THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVATION/REPORTING SYSTEM ON THE AIRPORT WAS REPORTING THE WIND FROM 190 DEGREES AT 29 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 40 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On November 15, 1995, at 0730 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA- 22, N932A, nosed over in the run-up area at the La Grande Airport, La Grande Oregon.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight was preparing for take off and was destined for Weiser, Idaho.

During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he had positioned the airplane into the wind and was performing the pre- flight run-up when a swirling gust of wind contacted the airplane.  The pilot added power to try to keep the tail down, however, the tail continued to rise and the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest inverted.

The La Grande Automated Weather Observing/Reporting System (AWOS) at 0735, reported the winds from 190 degrees at 29 knots with  gusts to 40 knots.  At 0755, the winds were reported from 180 degrees at 29 knots with gusts to 45 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N932A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N932A-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 22-236, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-236
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert H. Elton
- Registered owner: David Mcclain
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: S87, WEISER, ID
- Airport: LGD, La Grande

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,154 total, 611 in this make and model, 109 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 29 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGD

## 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 19951115036529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951115036529A), Nov 15, 1995: Piper PA22, La Grande, OR, Substantial damage. Blow over during engine run up facing into severe surface wind. Reported hit by whirlwind. Too much wind for type.

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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