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NTSB Report
April 15, 1990 · Piper PA-24-250 · N6401P
Wendover, UT
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Wendover, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N6401P
Operator
Sorensen Fred
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN90FA092
THE PLT STATED HE ACTIVATED THE RWY EDGE LIGHTS PRIOR TO TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, AND TAXIED FOR 'QUITE A WHILE' BECAUSE THE TAXIWAY IS NOT LIGHTED. HE BELIEVES THE LIGHTS WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE. THE RWY LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED FOR APRX 15 MIN AFTER ACTIVATION. THE SURVIVING PAX REMEMBERED THE AIRPLANE 'TUMBLING' AFTER TAKEOFF.THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE AIRPORT IS LOCATED SOUTHEAST OF THE CITY, ANDPILOTS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT DESCRIBED THE AREA ALONG THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF RWY 21 AS 'A BLACK HOLE'. THE PILOTHAD LOGGED 4 HRS OF NIGHT TIME IN THE LAST 90 DAYS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE LACK OF SURFACE REFERENCE WHILE TAKING OFF OVER A SPARSELY POPULATED AREA UNDER DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED HE ACTIVATED THE RWY EDGE LIGHTS PRIOR TO TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, AND TAXIED FOR 'QUITE A WHILE' BECAUSE THE TAXIWAY IS NOT LIGHTED. HE BELIEVES THE LIGHTS WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE. THE RWY LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED FOR APRX 15 MIN AFTER ACTIVATION. THE SURVIVING PAX REMEMBERED THE AIRPLANE 'TUMBLING' AFTER TAKEOFF.THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE AIRPORT IS LOCATED SOUTHEAST OF THE CITY, ANDPILOTS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT DESCRIBED THE AREA ALONG THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF RWY 21 AS 'A BLACK HOLE'. THE PILOTHAD LOGGED 4 HRS OF NIGHT TIME IN THE LAST 90 DAYS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:30 MDT
Nearest AirportWENDOVER (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length9100 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN6401P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSorensen Fred
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1C5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal2
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind320° @ 2 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:28
Weather SourceWFAC