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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 7, 1996 · Aerofab LAKE 250 · N8428F

Adirondack, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 1996
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Adirondack, NY
Aircraft
Aerofab LAKE 250
Tail Number
N8428F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
IAD96LA129

The pilot reported that he was sightseeing, looking for a resort area to land. He stated that his flight was uneventful, until he initiated a climb between two mountain ranges, then he heard the stall warning horn sound. He stated that he was close to the ground, so he did not look inside the cockpit. He stated that when he added full power, the engine sounded normal, but the stall warning horn sounded a second and a third time. Also, he stated that he made a controlled stall-type landing onto the tree tops. According to an FAA safety inspector, the pilot reported that he could not see the ridge clearly due to haze. The accident site was at an approximate elevation of 2900 feet. The height of the mountain was about 3300 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to ensure that he could maintain sufficient altitude and clearance from mountainous terrain after entering a blind canyon. Haze and the terrain were related factors.

Full Narrative

On August 7, 1996, at 1330 eastern daylight time (EDT), an Aerofab, Inc., Lake 250, N8428F, crashed in mountainous terrain 10 miles south of Saranac Lake, in Adirondack, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and the one passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Burlington, Vermont, at 1130 EDT. The intended destination was Saranac Lake, in Adirondack, New York. According to the pilot, he was sightseeing, looking for a resort area. He stated that he circled looking for a landing area, but decided not to land at that lake. He stated that he initiated a climb between two mountain ranges, but,"...I became uncomfortable with my choice of which mountain pass to traverse...at this point everything started to go awry. Although the sound of the engine remained essentially unchanged, it became difficult for me to continue a climb...I was rapidly losing my clearance above the tree tops...I was close enough to the ground that I didn't dare take my eyes and attention into the cockpit. At this point the yoke began to feel mushy, and I advanced the engine and propeller controls. The stall warning horn sounded once...The engine and propeller noise still sounded normal, but the stall warning horn sounded a second time and a third time...I had to make a controlled stall-type landing onto the tree tops... ." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Safety Inspector, the pilot reported that he could not see the ridge clearly due to the haze. The FAA Safety Inspector reported that the accident site was at an approximate elevation of 2900 feet. The height of the mountain was 3300 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerofab LAKE 250
Tail NumberN8428F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 8 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data