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NTSB Report
August 27, 1989 · Piper PA-15 · N4549H
Independence, OR
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Independence, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-15
Tail Number
N4549H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA158
DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH SLOW AIRSPEED (RPRTDLY TAILWHEEL 1ST), THEN GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED, THE RIGHT WING WAS DAMAGED AND THE PROP STRUCK THE GROUND. NO PREVIOUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP AND SUBSEQUENT OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT.
Full Narrative
DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH SLOW AIRSPEED (RPRTDLY TAILWHEEL 1ST), THEN GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED, THE RIGHT WING WAS DAMAGED AND THE PROP STRUCK THE GROUND. NO PREVIOUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:53 PDT
Nearest AirportIndependence State (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length3070 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-15
Tail NumberN4549H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 3 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:52