On September 15, 2000, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N6130H) was involved in an aviation accident near Sheridan, WY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper inflight decision to enter a canyon at an altitude insufficient to clear rising terrain. A factor was the aircraft's climb performance being exceeded due to the rising terrain. 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.
A pilot filed IFR from Pierre, SD to Red Lodge, MT, cancelled IFR near Newcastle, WY, and received VFR flight following while approaching the Big Horn Mountains. Unable to climb or turn, he landed in a meadow, resulting in passenger injury and substantial aircraft damage.
Flight Plan and Route
The pilot filed an IFR flight plan for a direct flight from Pierre, South Dakota, to Red Lodge, Montana. While north of Newcastle, Wyoming, he cancelled his IFR flight plan and received VFR flight following as he began navigating toward the Big Horn Mountains.
Terrain Encounter and Decision
As the pilot turned into a valley, he quickly recognized that the terrain was rising faster than the airplane could climb. Due to the proximity of the terrain, a turn-around was not feasible. In response, he elected to land in a meadow.
Injuries and Aircraft Damage
The pilot escaped injury. However, the passenger sustained a compression fracture of a lumbar vertebra. The airplane was substantially damaged; both wings and the fuselage buckled during the landing.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 15 Sept 2000 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Sheridan, WY?
A pilot filed IFR from Pierre, SD to Red Lodge, MT, cancelled IFR near Newcastle, WY, and received VFR flight following while approaching the Big Horn Mountains. Unable to climb or turn, he landed in a meadow, resulting in passenger injury and substantial aircraft damage.
Were there any fatalities in the 15 Sept 2000 Piper PA-28-181 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 15 Sept 2000 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N6130H, at Sheridan, WY.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's improper inflight decision to enter a canyon at an altitude insufficient to clear rising terrain. A factor was the aircraft's climb performance being exceeded due to the rising terrain.