# NTSB SEA96LA097: Powers Bede BD-4, N239CP, Pacific City, OR, May 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 1996, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Pacific City, OR - Coordinates: 45.190158, -123.960166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1902&lon=-123.9602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42369 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42369/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA097 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing flare, and his failure to maintain runway alignment, which resulted in an encounter with tall grass beside the intended landing area. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind conditions (crosswind and gusts), and tall grass (high vegetation) beside the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not possible - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated that just before touchdown on runway 32, 'a sudden and quite strong gust blew the aircraft to the left enough that the left main gear on touching down was in soft ground to the left of the asphalt runway. Left wing and main gear then caught in tall grass.' The airplane spun around in the tall grass, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane was substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunction was reported. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 1996, about 1215 Pacific daylight time, N239CP, a home built Powers Bede BD-4 airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, collided with terrain during landing rollout and was substantially damaged in Pacific City, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Independence, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that just prior to touchdown on runway 32 at the Pacific City Airport, "a sudden and quite strong gust blew the aircraft to the left enough that the left main gear on touching down was in soft ground to the left of the asphalt runway. Left wing and main gear then caught in tall grass." The airplane spun around in the tall grass, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane was substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N239CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N239CP), registered now, S/N 239, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Powers BEDE BD-4 - Registry model: [Powers BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/powers-bd-4) (registry code 1130603) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Airframe hours: 1242 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clappison, Gordon B. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1995, 26 hours before - Departed: 7S5, INDEPENDENCE, OR - Destination: PFC - Airport: PFC, Pacific City State, runway 32, 1,875 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,450 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,335 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 11 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ONP, 90 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 19960525019959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960525019959A), May 25, 1996: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Pacific City, OR, Substantial damage. Crosswind gust blew homebuilt left of runway on flare. Left gear landed soft mud off runway. Cartwheeled. 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.