SEA96LA097

Factual narrative

On May 25, 1996, about 1215 Pacific daylight time, N239CP, a home built Powers Bede BD-4 airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, collided with terrain during landing rollout and was substantially damaged in Pacific City, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Independence, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that just prior to touchdown on runway 32 at the Pacific City Airport, "a sudden and quite strong gust blew the aircraft to the left enough that the left main gear on touching down was in soft ground to the left of the asphalt runway. Left wing and main gear then caught in tall grass." The airplane spun around in the tall grass, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane was substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported. The pilot stated that just before touchdown on runway 32, 'a sudden and quite strong gust blew the aircraft to the left enough that the left main gear on touching down was in soft ground to the left of the asphalt runway. Left wing and main gear then caught in tall grass.' The airplane spun around in the tall grass, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane was substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunction was reported. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12