Piper PA-28-140 N5715F

Summary

On 30 May 2013 at about 14:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N5715F was involved in an accident near Ellenville, New York, United States. One person was 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

30 May 2013 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ellenville, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Joseph Y Resnick Airport (N89)

Coordinates

41.6842, -74.3514

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N5715F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ellenvile → Montgomery

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13CA260

1 person had minor injuries.

The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that she was returning to her home airport after being discontinued from her private pilot practical test. Upon departure and initial climb, she maneuvered the airplane into a valley and proceeded to attempt a climb over a ridge that was approximately 1,500 feet higher than the departure airport elevation. The student pilot stated that she knew as soon as she flew into the valley, the airplane was not going to be able to climb over the ridge, and that she was unable to turn the airplane around. She added that she performed a "controlled" crash into the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.