Piper PA-28R-201 N171M

Summary

On 1 June 2002 at about 20:20 local time, a Piper PA-28R-201 registered N171M, operated by Simon D. Bowles, was involved in an accident near Beaver, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 June 2002 at 20:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Beaver, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Beaver Municipal (U52)

Coordinates

38.2083, -112.6583

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-201

Registration

N171M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Simon D. Bowles

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Diego → Logan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN02LA049

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing. Contributing factors were mountain waves (wind shear) and crosswind.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The stall warning was activating 15 knots higher than it was supposed to while the airplane was in a climb. The pilot advised ARTCC that he was experiencing wind shear. He was told there was no reported wind shear in the area and to maintain 13,000 feet. The pilot was unable to maintain 13,000 feet, and descended to 12,000 feet, then to the minimum en route altitude of 11,000 feet. Unable to maintain this altitude, the pilot descended to 10,500 feet, cancelled his IFR flight plan, and descended further to 9,500 feet, at which point radio communications with ARTCC were lost. The airplane was yawing and "the ball (turn coordinator) was in the right side." The pilot held "full right aileron deflection to keep the [air]plane from turning." He attempted to make a precautionary landing at an airport. A left crosswind aided in keeping the airplane on track, but he was "unable to use the rudder to straighten out the [air]plane to land." At 100 feet above the ground, the pilot attempted a go-around. With flaps up, landing gear down, and full power applied, the airplane would not climb but descended slowly instead. The pilot made a forced landing in an open field 1 mile south of the airport. In the ensuing landing, both wings were damaged, the aft portion of the fuselage was wrinkled, and the main gear was torn off. An inspection of the aircraft after the accident disclosed no anomalies with the flight control system or the engine. Flight control continuity was confirmed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.