# NTSB SEA97LA149: Piper PA-28-140, N1357T, Madras, OR, June 21, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1997, 17:30 local (Jun 21, 1997, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Madras, OR
- Coordinates: 44.600082, -121.050155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6001&lon=-121.0502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA149

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff.  Factors include high vegetation, rough runway, and failure to attain adequate flying speed.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - soft field takeoff/procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the 5000-foot long airstrip had high weeds and ruts from rain runoff.  He said he used a soft field takeoff procedure.  At rotation he attempted to nose over in ground effect and settled back down on the runway. He rotated again and experienced what felt like a tailwind shear.  At that point, he was out of runway.  The aircraft right main landing gear struck a log barrier at the end of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On June 20, 1997, approximately 1730 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N1357T, collided with a barrier log at the end of a private airstrip near Madras, Oregon, during an attempted takeoff from the airstrip.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the recently certificated private pilot and one passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed.

Preliminary accident information from the FAA indicated that during the attempted takeoff, the pilot was "unable to gain enough airspeed."  The aircraft went off the end of the strip and hit the barrier log.  The impact with the barrier log knocked off the airplane's landing gear.  The pilot stated that the airstrip had high weeds and ruts from rain runoff.  He said he used a soft-field takeoff procedure.  He said at rotation he attempted to nose over in ground effect and settled back down on the runway.  He rotated again and experienced what felt like a tailwind shear.  At that point, he was out of runway.  The aircraft right main landing gear struck a log barrier at the end of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1357T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1357T-1998-02-19), registration cancelled 1998-02-19, S/N 287225480 (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: 28-7225480
- Airframe hours: 7310
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas C. Clayton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1996, 70 hours before
- Departed: TTD, TROUTDALE, OR
- Destination: UNKNOWN
- Airport: 3 Rivers Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 255 total, 145 in this make and model, 53 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM

## 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 19970620020039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970620020039A), Jun 20, 1997: Piper PA28140, Madras, OR, Substantial damage. Unable gain speed to fly. Ran off end rwy into a barrier. Lifted twice on soft short rough strip. Blamed tailwind.

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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