# NTSB SEA98LA005: Piper PA-28-151, N5987F, Vashon, WA, October 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 1997, 16:35 local (23:35 UTC) - Place: Vashon, WA - Location: 47.4586° N, 122.4770° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at VASHON MUNI (2S1), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4586&lon=-122.4770&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42727/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA005 ## Probable cause A misjudged soft field takeoff. Factors include wet grass. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - grass (contributing factor) - soft field takeoff/procedure - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot stated that shortly after becoming airborne after takeoff, he believed that he would be unable to clear the trees at the departure end of the runway. After aborting the takeoff, the aircraft overran the departure end of the runway. The airplane's right landing gear was pushed up through the wing and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot noted that the runway surface was wet, with fairly fresh mowed grass, which he believed was a contributing factor to a longer than normal takeoff run. He noted that he inspected the aircraft immediately after the accident and he found a lot of grass in the wheel pants. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 1997, at 1635 Pacific daylight time, N5987F, a Piper PA-28-151, was substantially damaged during overrun after an aborted takeoff. The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no report of the ELT actuating. The pilot told FAA inspectors that shortly after becoming airborne after takeoff, he believed that he would be unable to clear the trees at the departure end of the runway. After aborting the takeoff the aircraft overran the departure end of the runway. The airplane's right landing gear was pushed up through the wing and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot noted that the runway surface was wet, with fairly fresh mowed grass, which he believed was a contributing factor to a longer than normal takeoff run. He noted that he inspected the aircraft immediately after the accident and he found a lot of grass in the wheel pants. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5987F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5987F-2018-01-03), registration cancelled 2018-01-03, S/N 28-7715164, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7715164 - Airframe hours: 4004 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Salvatore J. Latina - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1997, 34 hours before - Departed: 2S1 - Airport: 2S1, Vashon Municipal, runway 35, 2,000 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 75 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19971019045419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971019045419A), Oct 19, 1997: Piper PA28151, Vashon, WA, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot stated that shortly after becoming airborne after takeoff, he believed that he would be unable to clear the trees at the departure end of the… ## Other investigations on N5987F (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 SEA78DYP34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYP34), Jun 25, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N5987F), Methow, WA, 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.