# NTSB SEA99LA097: Piper PA-22-108, N5059Z, Winthrop, WA, June 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1999, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Winthrop, WA - Coordinates: 48.500774, -120.330184 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5008&lon=-120.3302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46688/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA097 ## Probable cause The pilot/passenger's failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was the fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot passenger (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot-in-command and pilot/passenger, a prospective buyer of the tailwheel equipped Piper PA-22-108, departed on a test flight. During the pilot/passenger's first landing, and approximately 75-100 feet into the landing roll, the aircraft began to veer to the right departing the right side of runway 31 and eventually impacting a barbed wire fence. The pilot-in-command reported no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft and light and variable winds at the time. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1999, approximately 0845 Pacific daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Piper PA-22-108, N5059Z, registered to and being operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged, during a loss of control on landing roll at the Methow Valley State airport, Winthrop, Washington. The pilot and a second pilot-rated passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was to have been operated under 14CFR91, originated from the accident airport approximately 0800, and was being conducted as a pre-purchase demonstration for the passenger. A sheriff's deputy, who responded to the accident and interviewed the pilot/owner, reported that the pilot owner had his aircraft up for sale and that a prospective buyer was test flying the aircraft. The pilot/owner further reported that the prospective buyer was landing the aircraft when it veered to the right, departed the runway and impacted a barbed wire fence. The deputy reported that skid marks on the runway and tire marks in the gravel along the runway's right edge, as well as damage to the fence were consistent with the pilot/owner's description of events. The deputy also interviewed a witness who reported observing the aircraft touch down on all three wheels simultaneously, veer off the right side of the runway, and tip up on its right side. The pilot-in-command (owner), who was occupying the left seat, reported that he had a total of 131 hours in make/model out of a total of 196 hours. He also reported that he and the prospective buyer departed on a "trial flight for [the] possible sale of [the] aircraft" and that after some non pattern work he took the controls from the prospective buyer, entered the pattern, and accomplished two touch-and-go landings. During the rollout on the second landing the aircraft was turned over to the prospective buyer who then executed a takeoff and approach to runway 31. The pilot/owner reported that "after being on the ground approx{imately] 75-100 feet, estimated ground speed [of] approx[imately] 45-55 mph, he lost directional control [and] the aircraft veered off the right side of [the] runway and hit a fence line." The owner reported the winds as light and variable and also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft. Winds at Omak 25 nautical miles east were also reported at 4 knots and variable. The pilot/passenger (prospective buyer), who had no flight experience in the make/model of aircraft but indicated more than 66 hours of tailwheel experience, reported the following: "after [a] short local flight, [the] pilot returned to land, [the] first attempt was aborted, [the] second attempt was rough and [a] go around was executed. The third attempt resulted in a ground loop. The aircraft exited the runway environment to the right and impacted a barbed wire fence, resulting in a nose over. Pilot and passenger exited the aircraft and pushed the aircraft back to the hangar." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5059Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5059Z), registered now, S/N 22-8684, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-8684 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Palm, Michael, L. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: S52 - Airport: S52, Methow Valley State, runway 31, 5,050 × 95 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 196 total, 131 in this make and model, 137 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OMK, 25 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 19990626042759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990626042759A), Jun 26, 1999: Piper PA22108, Winthrop, WA, No damage. (-23) Pilot was demonstrating airplane to a prospective buyer. After two tiuch and go's, pilot lost directional control and departed runway to the right. A/c… 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.