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NTSB Report

March 30, 2003 · Piper PA-28-140 · N4961T

Troutdale, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Troutdale, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N4961T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA053

The student pilot reported that after returning from the practice area, he was going to do a couple of touch-and-go landings. The first landing was without incident. During the second approach, the aircraft was not lined up with the runway and the student did a go-around. During the third approach, the student stated that the aircraft landed and the next thing he remembered was looking at the ground from the cockpit. The students flight instructor witnessed the third landing and stated that the aircraft touched down and "bounced a little" then settled when he heard power being applied. The aircraft then veered to the left. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the aircraft continued off the side of the runway. The nose gear sheared off and the airplane nosed down.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft control was not maintained during the landing roll. An improper flare which resulted in a bounced landing was a factor.

Full Narrative

On March 30, 2003, approximately 1315 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4961T, registered to a private owner and operated by a student pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight, veered off the side of the runway at Portland-Troutdale Airport, Troutdale, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that after returning from the practice area, he was going to do a couple of touch-and-go landings. The first landing was without incident. The second approach, the aircraft was left of centerline and the student performed a go-around. The student pilot stated that during the third approach, "landed and the next thing I remember is looking at the ground from the cockpit." The student's flight instructor, who was watching the flight, reported that this was the student's second solo flight. The instructor stated that the student accomplished one successful landing on runway 25. During the second landing attempt, the student initiated a go-around. The instructor stated that during the third attempt, the aircraft touched down and "bounced a little" then settled when he heard power being applied. The aircraft then veered to the left. The right wing contacted the runway surface and the aircraft continued off the side of the runway. The nose gear sheared off and the airplane nosed down. Inspection of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, reported that the lower right section of the firewall was wrinkled around the engine mount, the right wing tip was damaged and the nose gear was sheared off.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 PST
Nearest AirportPortland-Troutdale (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length5399 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN4961T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data