PIPER PA-11
Sheridan, WY — August 21, 2008
Event Information
| Date | August 21, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | LAX08CA275 |
| Event ID | 20081003X17535 |
| Location | Sheridan, WY |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 44.55833, -107.21056 |
| Airport | Private Dirt Strip |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-11 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty wind conditions and likely windshear encounter and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/mush.
Full Narrative
Repeated attempts to contact the pilot were unsuccessful.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane was taking off in a southbound direction from a private dirt strip about 16 miles southwest of the Sheridan County Airport (SHR), Sheridan, Wyoming. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that the airplane had cleared 50 foot trees and was about 100 feet above the ground, when the right quartering headwind changed and the airplane was "blown out of the air." The pilot was able to level the airplane before the airplane stuck the ground and cartwheeled, coming to rest in a nose down attitude at a tree. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.
The pilot was not able to recall the wind velocity. Witnesses in the area reported that it was windy. Wind information recorded by SHR indicated that the winds were from 140 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.