N1438T

On June 13, 1997, approximately 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N1438T, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with power lines just after takeoff from Wakonda Beach State Airport near Waldport, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger received serious injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which was departing for Newport, Oregon, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the accident, was turned off at the scene.

According to the pilot, who had landed at the airport a number of times before, because of strong, gusty winds from the north, he landed to the north and then taxied back to the south end of the runway for a northern departure. When he reached the south end of the runway, he did not stop to make pre-takeoff performance calculations, nor did he exit the aircraft in order to evaluate the current wind conditions prior to attempting a takeoff from the 1900 foot grass airstrip. During the takeoff, the aircraft lifted off and reached a speed of 80 mph, but then entered an area of shifting/unfavorable winds. At that point, it appeared to the pilot that the aircraft was not climbing fast enough to clear the tall trees just off the north end of the runway. As he neared the end of the runway, the pilot turned about 20 degrees to the left in order to pass over an area where the trees were not as tall as the ones directly off the end of the runway. About 200 feet past the departure end of the runway, the aircraft collided with power lines running to one of private residences near the airport. Witnesses reported that at the time of the accident there were variable, gusty winds blowing from the north. The pilot estimated that the winds were as high as 20 knots.

The airstrip at which the pilot elected to land is designated as a "Warning Airport" by the Oregon State Aeronautics Division. The Oregon Airport Directory states that, "It does not conform to normal airport dimensions and standards, and it also may require special techniques and procedures to use." In the remarks section, the directory states that, "...landing to south and takeoff to north not recommended." In addition to the information published in the directory, there are signs at the airport that also warn against taking off to the north.

A post-accident inspection of the engine found no evidence of any malfunction, and after the inspection was completed, the engine was successfully test run.