On December 29, 1994, a Piper PA-22-161 (registration N2269Z) operated by Jackie R. Shipp was involved in an aviation accident near Elko, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to attempt takeoff from a muddy, unpaved runway without first inspecting the surface conditions, which resulted in striking a fence and crashing into a field. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempted takeoff from a muddy, dirt runway without checking surface conditions. The aircraft struck a fence and crashed into a field during departure.
What happened
The pilot initiated a takeoff roll on a short, unpaved airstrip measuring only 1,000 feet in length. The surface was described as muddy dirt, but the pilot did not first inspect the condition of the ground before commencing the takeoff attempt. As the aircraft accelerated toward departure speed, it struck a wire fence located at the end of the available runway. The impact caused the aircraft to crash-land into an adjacent field immediately after leaving the strip.
The investigation
Post-accident review confirmed that the pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to or during the incident. This suggests the failure was not due to equipment malfunction but rather the decision to operate on an unsuitable surface without verification of its bearing capacity and clearance.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to attempt takeoff from a muddy, unpaved runway without first inspecting the surface conditions, which resulted in striking a fence and crashing into a field.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…