Event SEA97LA209

Factual narrative

On September 13, 1997, at 1600 Pacific daylight time, a DeHavilland DHC-1, N6004A, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a hangar after the pilot was unable to maintain directional control during the landing roll at a private airstrip near Winlock, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The flight had departed from another private airstrip near Napavine, Washington, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that while on final approach, the airplane's altitude was high. The pilot stated that she slipped the airplane to reduce altitude. The slip was held until a few feet of touchdown and at the point of flaring the airplane. The pilot stated that during the flare, the airplane continued to descend and was still in a slip attitude at touchdown. After the airplane touched down, it bounced. The pilot stated that she added power, however, the airplane was pointed to the right of runway heading and she was unable to maintain directional control. The power was reduced and the pilot applied heavy braking action. The airplane continued to travel off the runway, in the wet grass, and collided with a hangar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that while on final approach the airplane was too high. The pilot slipped the airplane to reduce altitude and held that attitude until a few feet above the runway and at the point of flare. The pilot stated that the airplane continued to descend in the flare and touched down still in the slip attitude. The airplane bounced and the pilot added power. The airplane was pointed to the right of runway heading and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control as the airplane traveled off the runway into the wet grass. The pilot reduced the power and applied heavy breaking action, however, the airplane continued and collided with a hangar. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12