Piper PA-22-108 N4895Z

Summary

On 11 January 2002 at about 21:20 local time, a Piper PA-22-108 registered N4895Z was involved in an accident near Tehachapi, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

11 January 2002 at 21:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Tehachapi, California, United States

Nearest airport

Tehachapi Municipal (TSP)

Coordinates

35.1353, -118.4397

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-108

Registration

N4895Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tehachapi → Scottsdale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA064

2 people had minor injuries.

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in an attempt to gain altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. The high density altitude was a factor in the accident.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane stalled and descended to the ground while maneuvering to gain altitude shortly after takeoff. According to a sheriff's deputy, who witnessed the accident, the airplane departed runway 29, and barely cleared power lines during the initial climb. The airplane performed two 360-degree turns south of the airport and stalled, impacting in a field about 4,200 msl. The airport is located at 3,993 feet msl. Post accident examination by an FAA inspector determined that the fuel tanks were full at the time of departure. The density altitude was calculated about 5,000 feet msl. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot's recommendation as to how the accident could have been prevented was taking off with less weight and at cooler temperatures.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.