Piper PA-28-140 N6121J

Summary

On 26 April 1997 at about 21:55 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N6121J was involved in an accident near Rawlins, Wyoming, United States. 2 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.

Date

26 April 1997 at 21:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Rawlins, Wyoming, United States

Nearest airport

Rawlins Municipal Airport (RWL)

Coordinates

41.7808, -107.2203

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N6121J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Rangely

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA093

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors include high density altitude, downdrafts, and rough/uneven terrain in the area where the pilot attempted the emergency landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted a takeoff in high density altitude conditions, and encountered downdrafts during the initial climb. Because it became apparent that the aircraft would not outclimb the terrain, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing on the rough/uneven ground. Upon touchdown, both main gear were torn from the wings. The pilot later stated that, although he had checked the weight and balance, he had not calculated the expected rate of climb under the conditions. The expected rate of climb was later determined to be approximately 250 feet per minute. The aircraft came to rest about one mile from the end of the runway, on terrain that was about 150 to 200 feet higher than the runway surface.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.