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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 18, 1997 · Cessna 207 · N7405

Roche Harbor, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Roche Harbor, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 207
Tail Number
N7405
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA113

The pilot reported that while on short final for landing at a one-way-in airstrip with a quartering right tailwind, he felt a slight 'push' from above and behind the airplane. The pilot applied a little power and up-elevator. The pilot stated that about one second later he felt the airplane descend toward the tall grass overrun by a 'powerful, yet smooth down draft or wind shear.' The pilot stated that he applied full power and up-elevator, however, the airplane continued to descend and struck the ground at about 60 knots, and 50 feet short of the airstrip. During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed down. The right wing contacted the surface and the airplane spun around about 60 degrees to the right. The operator reported that the wind was from 030 degrees at 12 knots at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate remedial action upon encountering a downdraft on final approach. The downdraft was a factor.

Full Narrative

On May 18, 1997, approximately 1025 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 207, N7405, operated by West Isle Air Inc. of Anacortes, Washington, was substantially damaged when it landed approximately 50 feet short of the Stuart Island West private airstrip, located approximately 5 miles northwest of Roche Harbor, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the aircraft's sole occupant, was not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions existed and the flight was utilizing company flight following for the 14 CFR part 91 positioning flight, which originated at Friday Harbor, Washington, about ten minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he approached the airstrip from the east and maneuvered for a landing to the west. The pilot was aware of the right quartering tailwind that he would be landing with because this airstrip is a one-way in through a heavily forested valley with 800 to 1,200 foot ridges on either side. The pilot stated that he overflew the airstrip at 700 feet to check the field and wind conditions. The pilot stated that he turned onto a right downwind and applied 10 degrees of flaps. The pilot continued to slow the aircraft to 80 knots on the base leg and turned onto final approach to line-up with the airstrip. Full flaps were applied while on final approach. The pilot stated that as the flight continued to descend on final approach, the airspeed was decreased to 65 knots, when he noticed a slight "push" from above and behind the airplane. The pilot applied a little power and up-elevator. The pilot stated that about one second later, he felt the airplane descend toward the tall grass overrun by a "powerful, yet smooth down draft or wind shear." The pilot stated that he applied full power and up elevator, however, the aircraft continued to descend and struck the ground at about 60 knots, and 50 feet short of the airstrip. During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed down. The right wing contacted the surface and the airplane spun around about 60 degrees to the right. FAA information on the airstrip, obtained via computer from a commercial World Wide Web site, lists the Stuart Island West dirt airstrip as being oriented east/west and 1,560 feet long. The information also states that all landings at the airstrip must be made to the west. Wind information obtained from the operator indicates that the wind was from 030 degrees at 12 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:25 PDT
Nearest AirportStuart West (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length1560 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 207
Tail NumberN7405
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520F · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 12 kt
Visibility75 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data