Piper PA-28-140 accident near Vashon, Washington, July 24, 1989
On July 24, 1989 at about 11:10 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N8402C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Vashon, Washington (Vashon airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 1989 · about 11:10 pm local time
- Place
- Vashon, Washington · Vashon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N8402C · registry record · serial 28-7625112
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 361 hours in all; 288 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 0S9 Port Townsend WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 1,940 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.