Casualties unknown

Tri-Pacer Damaged After Forced Landing Due to High Density Altitude (CGCCF)

Spearfish, SD, US

On July 11, 1988, a Piper PA-22-150 (registration CGCCF) was involved in an aviation accident near Spearfish, SD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: According to the pilot, the aircraft would not maintain altitude due to high density altitude. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A Tri-Pacer carrying four vacationing Canadian occupants and 150 pounds of baggage failed to maintain altitude after takeoff due to high density altitude, leading to a landing in a rough field and aircraft damage.

Accident Details

The accident involved a Tri-Pacer aircraft with four persons and approximately 150 pounds of baggage on board. The occupants were from Canada and were vacationing in the United States. The incident resulted in damage to the aircraft due to the rough and uneven terrain of the field where the pilot chose to land.

Pilot Account

According to the pilot, the aircraft became airborne and climbed to about 100 feet above the runway. However, it would not maintain altitude because of the high density altitude conditions. The pilot decided to land in a field, but the field was rough and uneven, which caused damage to the aircraft.

Conditions

The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be approximately 6,000 feet. No other weather conditions or factors were reported in the source. The aircraft was operated by a private pilot, and no injuries or fatalities were mentioned.

Probable cause

According to the pilot, the aircraft would not maintain altitude due to high density altitude.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X26210. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.