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NTSB Report

July 3, 2006 · Piper PA28-181 · N6413C

Dorris, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Dorris, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA28-181
Tail Number
N6413C
Operator
Tradewinds Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX06CA223

The airplane impacted the ground during an attempted go-around. Before the flight, the pilot performed weight and balance and density altitude calculations. After a 1-hour local flight, the pilot circled over the airport and determined the winds to be calm. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 34 and extended 40 degrees of flaps. The pilot noticed a slight crosswind from the west and applied crosswind correction. On short final, the airplane was aligned with the runway at an indicated airspeed of 65 knots. As the airplane crossed the approach end of the runway it rolled to the left and the stall warning horn sounded. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying full power and retracting the flaps to 25 degrees. The airplane continued to descend, so the pilot released right rudder pressure and leveled the wings in an attempt to climb; however, the airplane continued to descend on a heading of 310 degrees. About 10 feet above ground level, the pilot pulled back on the yoke in an effort to slow the airplane down. The plane touched down on the main landing gear in a field about 100 yards west of the runway. The left wing dug into the ground and the airplane spun 90 degrees to the left before coming to a stop. The calculated density altitude was 6,313 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall/mush. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.

Full Narrative

On July 3, 2006, about 1140 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N6413C, collided with terrain during an attempted go-around at Butte Valley Airport, Dorris, California. Tradewinds Aviation was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The renter private pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Butte Valley about 1030. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. On the morning of the flight, the pilot calculated the weight and balance limitations, density altitude, and checked the weather forecast for the area using the Automated Digital Data System (ADDS). The flight departed Butte Valley Airport at 1030, and returned 1 hour later. The pilot circled over the airport and determined that the winds were calm. He entered a left traffic pattern for runway 34 and extended his downwind leg to properly set up for the approach. Upon turning final, the airplane was configured with 40 degrees of flaps. The pilot noticed a slight crosswind from the west and applied crosswind correction. On short final, the airplane was aligned with the runway with an indicated airspeed of about 65 knots. The airplane crossed the approach end of the runway 50 feet above ground level (agl). At this time, the airplane rolled suddenly to the left and the stall warning horn briefly sounded. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying full power and retracting the flaps to 25 degrees. The pilot attempted to correct the airplane's left turning tendency with right rudder input. As the airplane continued to descend, the pilot released right rudder pressure and leveled the wings in an attempt to climb. The airplane continued to descend on a heading of 310 degrees. About 10 feet agl, the pilot pulled back on the yoke in an effort to slow the airplane down as much as possible. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear in a field about 100 yards west of the runway. The left wing dug into the ground and the airplane spun 90 degrees to the left before coming to a stop. Butte Valley Airport is located at an elevation of 4,243 feet. At the time of the accident, the Klamath Falls Airport Automated Surface Observing System, 20 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius and a barometric pressure of 30.13 inches of Mercury. The calculated density altitude for Butte Valley Airport using Klamath Falls weather information at the time of the accident was 6,313 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 PDT
Nearest AirportButte Valley Airport (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28-181
Tail NumberN6413C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTradewinds Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data