Plane Crash List

Piper PA-28-161 N514PU

16 September 1991 · Ellensburg, Washington, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 16 September 1991 at about 15:15 local time, a Piper PA-28-161 registered N514PU, operated by Midstate Aviation, Inc., was involved in an accident near Ellensburg, Washington, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 15:15
Classification
Accident
Location
Ellensburg, Washington, United States
Coordinates
46.9709, -120.4708
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Registration
N514PU
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Midstate Aviation, Inc.
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Ellensburg → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
SEA91LA240

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
3 0 0 0 3

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY, AND FLIGHT IN A BOX CANYON WHERE REMEDIAL ACTION WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28-161 PROCEEDED ALONG A CANYON, INITIATING A CLIMB AS THE CANYON BEGAN TO RISE. THE CANYON NARROWED AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD STRAIGHT AHEAD, RATHER THAN ATTEMPTING A COURSE REVERSAL. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT STRUCK THE TERRAIN AND BRUSH.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Piper PA-28 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
25 Apr 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N95406
Hibbing, Minnesota, United States WM. & Audrey Svigel Minor injuries -
22 Oct 1991 Piper PA-28
N4616R
Berryville, Arkansas, United States Snider, Richard D. Minor injuries -
18 Nov 1991 Piper PA-28-161
N9811C
Greeley, Colorado, United States
no coordinates
P.c. Flyers No injuries -
14 Jul 1991 Piper PA-28-180
N7191W
Old Bridge, New Jersey, United States
no coordinates
Martin Sade No injuries -
27 Jan 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N610FL
Titusville, Florida, United States Achord, Marvin L. Minor injuries -
21 Dec 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N455FL
Yuma, Colorado, United States Aero Training of the Rockies No injuries -

All 9,402 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
31 Mar 1991 Bell BH-47G2A
N38926
Waitsburg, Washington, United States Waitsburg Helicopter Service No injuries -
6 Apr 1991 Robinson R22 BETA
N24176
Kent, Washington, United States Classic Helicopter No injuries -
6 Apr 1991 Grumman American AA-1C
N9651U
Wenatchee, Washington, United States James Q. Baxter No injuries -
12 Apr 1991 Aeronca 11AC
N85948
Port Orchard, Washington, United States John D. Gracie No injuries -
13 Apr 1991 Cessna C-172N
N75646
Ellensburg, Washington, United States Interwest Aviation No injuries -
17 Apr 1991 Grumman G-21A
N9750Z
Spokane, Washington, United States Loel Fenwick No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States