# NTSB SEA97LA138: Piper PA-28-140, N1438T, Waldport, OR, June 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1997, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Waldport, OR - Coordinates: 44.450313, -123.939544 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4503&lon=-123.9395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42629 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42629/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA138 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation to ensure he could execute a safe departure in the meteorological conditions present at the time. Related factors included: the unfavorable/variable/gusty wind conditions; and a power line near the departure end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot landed at an airstrip that was designated as a 'Warning Airport' by the Oregon State Aeronautics Division. The remarks section of the Oregon Airport Directory stated '...landing to south and takeoff to north not recommended.' Also, there were signs at the airport that warn against taking off to the north. After landing, the pilot taxied back to the south end and initiated a takeoff to the north. The wind was reported to be variable and gusting to 20 kts. Reportedly, after liftoff, the aircraft entered an area of shifting/unfavorable winds and was unable to climb fast enough to clear the tall trees off the north end of the runway. Near the departure end of the runway, the pilot turned about 20 degrees to the left to fly over an area where the trees were not as tall as the ones directly off the end of the runway. About 200 ft past the departure end of the runway, the aircraft impacted a power line running to a local residence. In a postaccident interview, the pilot stated that he had not stopped to make pre-takeoff performance calculations or to evaluate the wind conditions from outside the aircraft before attempting the takeoff. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1997, approximately 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N1438T, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with power lines just after takeoff from Wakonda Beach State Airport near Waldport, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger received serious injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which was departing for Newport, Oregon, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the accident, was turned off at the scene. According to the pilot, who had landed at the airport a number of times before, because of strong, gusty winds from the north, he landed to the north and then taxied back to the south end of the runway for a northern departure. When he reached the south end of the runway, he did not stop to make pre-takeoff performance calculations, nor did he exit the aircraft in order to evaluate the current wind conditions prior to attempting a takeoff from the 1900 foot grass airstrip. During the takeoff, the aircraft lifted off and reached a speed of 80 mph, but then entered an area of shifting/unfavorable winds. At that point, it appeared to the pilot that the aircraft was not climbing fast enough to clear the tall trees just off the north end of the runway. As he neared the end of the runway, the pilot turned about 20 degrees to the left in order to pass over an area where the trees were not as tall as the ones directly off the end of the runway. About 200 feet past the departure end of the runway, the aircraft collided with power lines running to one of private residences near the airport. Witnesses reported that at the time of the accident there were variable, gusty winds blowing from the north. The pilot estimated that the winds were as high as 20 knots. The airstrip at which the pilot elected to land is designated as a "Warning Airport" by the Oregon State Aeronautics Division. The Oregon Airport Directory states that, "It does not conform to normal airport dimensions and standards, and it also may require special techniques and procedures to use." In the remarks section, the directory states that, "...landing to south and takeoff to north not recommended." In addition to the information published in the directory, there are signs at the airport that also warn against taking off to the north. A post-accident inspection of the engine found no evidence of any malfunction, and after the inspection was completed, the engine was successfully test run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1438T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1438T-1999-02-05), registration cancelled 1999-02-05, S/N 28-7225516 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7225516 - Airframe hours: 3363 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fisher, Mark W. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1996, 63 hours before - Departed: OR04 - Destination: ONP, NEWPORT, OR - Airport: OR04, Wakonda Beach State, runway 34, 1,900 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 182 total, 165 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °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 19970613014059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970613014059A), Jun 13, 1997: Piper PA28140, Waldport, OR, Substantial damage. Variable gusty wind short runway. Lift late. Unable clear trees. Turned left and hit power line. North takeoff no no. ## Other investigations on N1438T (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX79DUJ99](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUJ99), Jun 29, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N1438T), Showlow, AZ, substantial damage 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.