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June 26, 1999 · Piper PA-22-108 · N5059Z

Winthrop, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Winthrop, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-108
Tail Number
N5059Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA097

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot/passenger's failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was the fence.

Full 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."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 PDT
Nearest AirportMethow Valley State (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length5050 ft
Runway Width95 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-108
Tail NumberN5059Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1B · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data