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NTSB Report
June 1, 1990 · Piper PA18 · N5895D
Palouse, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Palouse, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA18
Tail Number
N5895D
Operator
Mervyn William J
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA90LA090
DURING A FERRY FLIGHT FOR MAINTENANCE, THE PILOT CIRCLED THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP FOR WIND DIRECTION. THE PILOT BEGAN THE DESCENT FOR LANDING AND NOTED A ROW OF POWER LINES. THE AIRPLANE CLEARED THAT ROW OF LINES, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SECOND ROW THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT OBSERVED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE SECOND ROW. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL NOSED OVER. THE LEFT WING IGNITED AND BURNED THE LEFT SIDE ONLY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOTS POORLY PLANNED APPROACH FOR LANDING.
Full Narrative
DURING A FERRY FLIGHT FOR MAINTENANCE, THE PILOT CIRCLED THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP FOR WIND DIRECTION. THE PILOT BEGAN THE DESCENT FOR LANDING AND NOTED A ROW OF POWER LINES. THE AIRPLANE CLEARED THAT ROW OF LINES, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SECOND ROW THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT OBSERVED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE SECOND ROW. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL NOSED OVER. THE LEFT WING IGNITED AND BURNED THE LEFT SIDE ONLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA18
Tail NumberN5895D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMervyn William J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO