Piper PA-28-140 N1912H

Summary

On 25 July 2004 at about 01:50 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N1912H, operated by Noland-Decoto Flying Service, was involved in an accident near Cle Elum, Washington, United States. 4 people were on board and one died, 2 were seriously injured, 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

25 July 2004 at 01:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Cle Elum, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.1942, -120.8969

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N1912H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Noland-Decoto Flying Service

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cle Elum → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA04FA143

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to obtain and maintain a safe rate of climb after takeoff, due to his failure to perform pre-takeoff weight/balance and takeoff/climb performance calculations. Factors include a high density altitude environment, and trees off the departure end of the runway.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, who had loaded the aircraft to a weight more than 100 pounds over the maximum permissible takeoff gross weight, did not perform either weight and balance or takeoff/climb performance calculations prior to takeoff. He then attempted a takeoff and climb-out in a high density altitude environment, but was unable to maintain a rate of climb sufficient to clear nearby trees without his airspeed dropping to near that at which a stall would occur. After passing through an opening in a line of trees he could not climb over, the pilot elected to attempt to return to the airport. While in a shallow turn, the aircraft came in contact with a tree, which resulted in it loosing enough altitude that it was unable to clear another group of trees between it and the airport. Seeing that he could not clear the trees, the pilot elected to attempt a controlled crash landing in an area between some of the trees, but one of the aircraft's wing impacted one of the trees while the aircraft was still about 15 feet above the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.