PIPER PA28R
Milton-Freewater, OR — February 28, 2018
Event Information
| Date | February 28, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA145 |
| Event ID | 20180301X55111 |
| Location | Milton-Freewater, OR |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 45.92694, -118.13084 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA28R |
| 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 receiving instruction’s and flight instructor’s improper decision to enter a canyon surrounded by steep rising terrain and their subsequent failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.
Full Narrative
The flight instructor reported that after conducting flight maneuvers during an instructional flight, he and the student proceeded to sightsee around mountainous terrain at 800 to 1000 ft above ground level. He added that, after the pilot receiving instruction maneuvered around rising terrain, the airplane was moving toward "fairly significant" terrain. The flight instructor reported that "it was assumed" that the airplane had the necessary performance to out climb the rising terrain ahead, but he soon realized that the airplane was in a "box canyon" and would not be able to climb above the rising terrain. The flight instructor took the flight controls, "pitched the aircraft up to stall speed", and the airplane impacted trees.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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.