Summary
On June 26, 1999, a Porter SEAREY (N827P) was involved in an accident near Morenci, MI. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilots inadequate preflight planning and his failure to maintain airspeed. Factors to the accident were the high trees at the departure end of the runway, and the stall encountered.
On June 26, 1999, approximately 1955 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Porter Searey, N827P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a precautionary landing near Morenci, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time of the accident.
In a written statement, the pilot stated that he had just taken off from his private airstrip and did not believe that he could clear the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he decided to make a landing in an adjacent field.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CHI99LA197. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N827P.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilots inadequate preflight planning and his failure to maintain airspeed. Factors to the accident were the high trees at the departure end of the runway, and the stall encountered.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 26, 1999, approximately 1955 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Porter Searey, N827P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a precautionary landing near Morenci, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time of the accident.
In a written statement, the pilot stated that he had just taken off from his private airstrip and did not believe that he could clear the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he decided to make a landing in an adjacent field. The pilot stated that the landing required a turn of approximately 150 degrees. The pilot stated that the steep turn required resulted in a stall and subsequent nose down impact with the ground. The pilot reported that the runway surface consisted of dry sod six inches high, which he stated as a reason that the airplane did not reach rotation speed as soon as normal.
The runway is approximately 965 feet long and 75 feet wide with high trees approximately 350 feet from the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that there is a slight uphill grade to the runway.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI99LA197