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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 6, 2004 · Cessna 140 · N3571V

Spanaway, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Spanaway, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Tail Number
N3571V
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA05LA026

During final approach to land, the airplane hit a barbed wire fence located about 30 feet from the threshold. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. The rudder, vertical stabilizer, and the left wing strut were damaged. A deputy, who responded to the scene of the accident, noted an odor of alcohol coming from the pilot. With the pilot's permission, another deputy took a blood sample, which was submitted for alcohol testing. The test result was a blood alcohol content of 0.08 g/100mL. A review of the pilot's FAA medical file revealed that his application for a medical certificate dated April 18, 2003, was denied. The application was denied due, in part, to alcohol dependence.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude during final approach to land which resulted in an undershoot and in flight collision with a fence. A factor was the pilot's alcohol impairment.

Full Narrative

On December 6, 2004, approximately 1550 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 140 airplane, N3571V, struck a fence during landing at Spanaway Airport, Spanaway, Washington. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane, which was registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed from Pierce County Airport, Puyallup, Washington, about 1530 with an intended destination of Spanaway. According to FAA inspectors who responded to the scene of the accident, during final approach to land on runway 16, the airplane hit a barbed wire fence located about 30 feet from the threshold. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. The rudder, vertical stabilizer, and the left wing strut were damaged. A deputy with the Pierce Country Sheriff Department, who responded to the scene of the accident, noted an odor of alcohol coming from the pilot. With the pilot's permission, another deputy took a blood sample, which was submitted for alcohol testing. The test result was a blood alcohol content of 0.08 g/100mL. A review of the pilot's FAA medical file revealed that his application for a medical certificate dated April 18, 2003, was denied. The application was denied due, in part, to alcohol dependence.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:50 PST
Nearest AirportSPANAWAY (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length2724 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN3571V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 3 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 36 C
Altimeter29.45 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data