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NTSB Report
February 21, 1987 · Piper PA-28-140 · N56887
Petaluma, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Petaluma, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N56887
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA124
AT THE END OF A PLEASURE CROSS-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS DOWNWIND TO RWY 29 AND NOTED THE WIND WAS LIGHT FROM 110 DEGS. ON FINAL APCH THE PLT WAS FOLLOWING ANOTHER ACFT AND NOTED THAT THE ACFT HAD A SLIGHT CRAB TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT OBSERVED THAT THE WIND DIRECTION HAD CHANGED TO A RIGHT CROSS-WIND. WHEN THE ACFT TOUCHED-DOWN THE PLT STATED THAT A STRONG GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT PUSHED THE ACFT OFF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. WIND CONDITIONS ON THE ARPT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED AS WIND FROM 320 DEGS AT 15 KTS, GUSTING TO 25 KTS.
Full Narrative
AT THE END OF A PLEASURE CROSS-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS DOWNWIND TO RWY 29 AND NOTED THE WIND WAS LIGHT FROM 110 DEGS. ON FINAL APCH THE PLT WAS FOLLOWING ANOTHER ACFT AND NOTED THAT THE ACFT HAD A SLIGHT CRAB TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT OBSERVED THAT THE WIND DIRECTION HAD CHANGED TO A RIGHT CROSS-WIND. WHEN THE ACFT TOUCHED-DOWN THE PLT STATED THAT A STRONG GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT PUSHED THE ACFT OFF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. WIND CONDITIONS ON THE ARPT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED AS WIND FROM 320 DEGS AT 15 KTS, GUSTING TO 25 KTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 PST
Nearest AirportPETALUMA (0nm N)
Runway29
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN56887
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:30
Weather SourceWFAC