Piper PA-28-140 N8402C

Summary

On 24 July 1989 at about 23:10 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N8402C, operated by Tomie L. Trotter, was involved in an accident near Vashon, Washington, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 July 1989 at 23:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Vashon, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Vashon (2S1)

Coordinates

47.4196, -122.4497

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N8402C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Tomie L. Trotter

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Port Townsend

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA89LA140

2 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES), AND SOFT TERRAIN WHERE THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING TAKEOFF, HE ROTATED THE ACFT AT ABOUT MIDPOINT ON THE 1950' STRIP. AFTER THE ACFT CLIMBED ABOUT 30' AGL, THE STALL WARNING HORN BEGAN TO ACTIVATE STEADILY. THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL, BUT THE PLT BELIEVED THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE STRIP. HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF & TO LAND IN A OPEN FIELD TO THE LEFT OF THE STRIP. DURING THE LANDING ON SOFT TERRAIN, THE NOSE & MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND SOCK INDICATION VARIED FROM WHAT HE NOTED AT THE ACDNT LOCATION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.