Bandon Airport: Bandon, Oregon

Find Bandon Airport Services and Amenities:  Lodging within 3 miles; Rental cars available; Frank's Flight Service;  Fuel; Air BP 100LL; Self service 100LL 24 hours;

Special Events:  Bandon Dunes Golf; Beaches; West Coast Game Park; Old Town;

Approximately 30 minutes after the pilot's initial takeoff, witnesses reported seeing the airplane in a steep, nose-low, left downwind tobase turn for the intended runway. The witness reported the airplane continued the descending turn until loosing sight of the aircraft behind a tree line. The wreckage was later located in the general vicinity of the witnesses sighting. The airplane impacted terrain in the left wing down, nose-low attitude. The pilot's last radio transmission, on the Unicom frequency, was a position report indicating he was turning from downwind to base. A review of logbook records indicated the student pilot had accumulated approximately 325 hours of total time, of which 261 hours were solo. The pilot's past medical history included nonspecific recent arm pain. Severe atherosclerotic heart disease was cited as a significant finding in the autopsy. Toxicology testing revealed positive results for a prescription anti-depressant. The
pilot held a current student pilot certificate. Post accident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence to indicate a pre-impact mechanical malfunction or irregularity with the airplane that may have contributed to the accident.
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In a written statement the pilot reported that the approach to landing was "normal" until the airplane crossed the runway threshold. He stated that when the airplane crossed the landing threshold a "large westerly gust sharply lifted the right wing." The pilot reported that he applied corrective actions, however the aircraft's left wing contacted the ground approximately 20-25 feet east of the runway and the airplane "cartwheeled." The pilot reported that the winds were from the southwest at 15 knots with "gusts."