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NTSB Report

June 19, 1999 · Piper PA-28-140 · N9887W

Zillah, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Zillah, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N9887W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA090

The pilot noted that the winds were calm at his destination airstrip. He approached to the east, into the morning sun, in order to land upslope on the grass airstrip. He said he positioned the plane in the center of the light green fresh mowed area, which he learned after landing was not all runway. He stated that the sun was in his eyes on final approach, obscuring details of the landing area. He touched down about 250 feet from the approach end with full flaps and a touch of power, using standard soft field techniques. The airplane slid down the side slope to the left and would not respond to right rudder inputs, until the left wing contacted a large wooden fence post and about four feet of the left wingtip separated. He stated that the day before the flight he obtained an airport briefing from a local pilot familiar with the airport. Sun azimuth at the time of the accident was 109.9; elevation was 49.4 degrees.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing adjacent to the runway. Factors include sun glare encountered at the time of the landing attempt.

Full Narrative

On June 19, 1999, approximately 0815, a Piper PA-28-140, N9887W, sustained substantial damage during landing at Zillah, Washington. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were uninjured. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which initiated at Prosser, Washington, about 20 minutes earlier. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no fire, and no report of an ELT actuating. In a written report, the pilot noted that the winds were calm. He approached to the east, into the morning sun, in order to land upslope on the grass airstrip. He said he positioned the plane in the center of the light green fresh mowed area, which he learned after landing was not all runway. He stated that the sun was in his eyes on final approach, obscuring details of the landing area. He touched down about 250 feet from the approach end with full flaps and a touch of power, using standard soft field techniques. The airplane slid down the side slope to the left and would not respond to right rudder inputs, until the left wing contacted a large wooden fence post and about four feet of the left wingtip separated. He stated that the day before the flight he obtained an airport briefing from a local pilot familiar with the airport. Sun azimuth at the time of the accident was 109.9; elevation was 49.4 degrees.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 PDT
Nearest AirportMCMAHON (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN9887W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data