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May 27, 2002 · Piper PA-18-135 · N9845Q

Lewiston, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lewiston, ID
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-135
Tail Number
N9845Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA02LA088

The pilot was practicing a stop-and-go landing on runway 08 in the Piper PA-18-135 when he encountered a whirlwind. The aircraft veered off the runway during which the left wingtip impacted the ground. The aircraft continued away from the runway coming to rest nose down in a ditch. Winds recorded at the accident airport before and after the accident ranged from zero to seven knots speed, and from the northeast quadrant. No gusts were reported during the morning/afternoon hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing resulting in the aircraft departing the runway environment and the wing impacting the ground. Contributing factors were the dustdevil/whirlwind which the aircraft encountered and the ditch.

Full Narrative

On May 27, 2002, approximately 1114 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135 airplane, N9845Q, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control while executing a stop-and-go landing on runway 8 at Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport, Lewiston, Idaho. During the occurrence, the airplane's left wing hit the ground, the aircraft veered off the runway, the left tire separated from the wheel and the aircraft came to rest in a ditch on its nose. The pilot, who was the airplane's sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions and winds from 040 degrees magnetic at 4 knots, were reported at Lewiston at 1056. No flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 local personal flight, which originated from Lewiston earlier on the same morning. The pilot initially reported to the investigator that there was a left crosswind during the landing on runway 08 and he lost control of the aircraft during which the left wingtip struck the ground. The aircraft veered off the runway coming to rest in a ditch in a nose down attitude. The pilot later reported on his NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (attached) that he was practicing stop-and-go landings on runway 08 when he encountered a "crosswind" or "whirlwind" which blew the aircraft off the runway. He reported that he attempted to abort the landing but could not get enough airspeed. Winds throughout the morning and afternoon at Lewiston airport were reported as ranging from zero knots up to seven knots and the general direction was from the north and east quadrant (refer to ATTACHMENT WX).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:14 PDT
Nearest AirportLewiston-Nez Perce County (0nm)
Runway08
Runway Length6512 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-135
Tail NumberN9845Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 · Reciprocating · 135
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data