1989-07-03: Piper PA-22-150 — Elgin, OR

Casualties unknown • Elgin, OR, US

Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF/INITIAL CLIMB, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: QUARTERING TAILWIND, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT MADE A SOUTHERLY TAKEOFF FROM HIS SHORT/UNEVEN GRASS AIRSTRIP IN HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT WITH 3 OCCUPANTS ABOARD. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT STALLED AT LOW ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & BURNED. ABOUT 23 MI SOUTH AT LA GRANDE, OR, THE WIND WAS CALM; WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 5 TO 10 KTS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 4100 FT. THE PILOT HAD FLOWN 2:15 HOURS IN THE PREVIOUS 9 MONTHS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-07-03 Piper PA-22-150 accident near Elgin, OR?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-07-03 involved a Piper PA-22-150, registration N6941B, at Elgin, OR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF/INITIAL CLIMB, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: QUARTERING TAILWIND, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT.

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