On February 20, 1991, a Piper PA-15 (registration N4518H) operated by Leslie W. Beaver was involved in an aviation accident near Cottage Grove, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control during night takeoff from an uncontrolled strip. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft departed an uncontrolled strip at night and subsequently lost control, resulting in a vertical impact with the terrain. No mechanical failures were found during post-crash inspection.
Shortly after departing from an uncontrolled airstrip under dark night conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane. The aircraft then collided with the terrain in a vertical, nose-down position.
A post-crash inspection of the wreckage was conducted to determine the condition of the airframe and propulsion system. There were no noted mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine found during this examination.
The pilot's loss of control during night takeoff from an uncontrolled strip.