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WPR23LA261

2023-07-08 · La Grande, Oregon, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport LGD

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during an airstrip overfly, which resulted in impact damage to the left wing.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while overflying a grass airstrip to land, the left wing struck a tree after crossing the departure end of the runway at treetop level. The pilot maneuvered to a local airport for an emergency landing. During landing, shortly after the airplane crossed the runway threshold, a ground observer notified the pilot that the left landing gear was not extended. The pilot then placed the landing gear selector lever in UP position, but the right gear did not retract Subsequently, the airplane ground looped shortly after touchdown and collapsed the right landing gear. Post accident examination revealed that the left wing had substantial damage from impact with a tree. The pilot added that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_WPR23LA261.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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