No fatalities

Instructional Flight Ends with Runway Excursion During Aborted Takeoff (N8126W)

Bountiful, UT, US

On April 23, 1990, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N8126W) operated by Stead, Robert T. was involved in an aviation accident near Bountiful, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE DUAL STUDENT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PREMATURE LIFT-OFF BY DUAL STUDENT, THE ROUGH TERRAIN AND THE FENCE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During an instructional flight, a student pilot with 13 hours total time conducted the takeoff. The aircraft became airborne then settled back. The instructor aborted but could not stop on the remaining runway, exiting the end, through fences and a road, coming to rest in a parking lot.

Incident Overview

The incident occurred during the initial takeoff of an instructional flight. The student pilot, who had accumulated 13 total flight hours, was performing the takeoff. After the aircraft became airborne, it settled back onto the runway.

Instructor Intervention

The flight instructor, with 509 total flight hours, took control of the aircraft and initiated an aborted takeoff. However, the instructor was unable to bring the aircraft to a stop within the remaining runway length.

Outcome

The aircraft subsequently exited the end of the runway, traversed two fences, crossed a road, and came to rest in a parking lot.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Apr 1990 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Bountiful, UT?

During an instructional flight, a student pilot with 13 hours total time conducted the takeoff. The aircraft became airborne then settled back. The instructor aborted but could not stop on the remaining runway, exiting the end, through fences and a road, coming to rest in a parking lot.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Apr 1990 Piper PA-28-181 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Apr 1990 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N8126W, operated by Stead, Robert T., at Bountiful, UT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE DUAL STUDENT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PREMATURE LIFT-OFF BY DUAL STUDENT, THE ROUGH TERRAIN AND THE FENCE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22902. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.