Casualties unknown

1991-07-07: Piper PA-28-161 (N8256R) — Nassau Flyers, Inc. — Denver, CO

Denver, CO, US

On July 7, 1991, a Piper PA-28-161 (registration N8256R) operated by Nassau Flyers, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Denver, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: A TAIL WIND, THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY LEAN THE MIXTURE, AND HIS FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot taking off from intersection B5 on Runway 26L experienced stall warning and descent, leading to a controlled crash into a tree. Density altitude was 7181 feet with gusty winds.

Takeoff and Initial Climb

The pilot selected 25 degrees of flaps and began the takeoff from intersection B5 on Runway 26L. The available runway length from that intersection was 4465 feet, while the total runway length was 10,004 feet. After liftoff, the airplane climbed to about 300 feet above ground level (AGL).

Stall Warning and Descent

At approximately 300 feet AGL, the stall warning horn sounded. The pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed, which caused the airplane to descend. When he raised the nose to check the descent, the stall warning horn again sounded. This cycle of stall warnings and altitude changes continued.

Final Maneuvers and Crash

According to the pilot, he had enriched the mixture before takeoff. After the stall warning horn sounded, he confirmed that the throttle and mixture controls were 'fully open.' He noted that the tachometer for the fixed-pitch propeller was indicating 2400 revolutions per minute (RPM) at maximum power. The situation persisted until the pilot was forced to make a controlled crash into a tree in a residential neighborhood.

Environmental Conditions

The density altitude was computed to be 7181 feet. Winds were from 010 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 30 knots.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17521. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.