Piper PA-24 accident near Prescott, AZ
On August 17, 2009, a Piper PA-24 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Prescott, AZ. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 17, 2009
- Place
- Prescott, AZ
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.640°N, 112.410°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090817X00708
Official records · WPR09FA400
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Excerpt FAA ATC Package: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 17, 2009, about 1450 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-24, N6304P, impacted terrain about 450 yards north of the approach end of runway 30 at the Ernest A. Love Field (PRC), Prescott, Arizona. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and was involved in a post-impact fire. The flight was destined for an undetermined location, and no flight plan had been filed. Witnesses located at various points on the airport reported that the airplane was no more than 150-200 feet above ground level (agl) in the initial climb, and did not appear to be gaining altitude. They also reported that the airplane was "slow," with a high-angle of attack, and at times porpoising in the air. About the intersection of runways 21L and 30, the airplane was observed in a shallow left bank that continued to increase before impacting the ground and bursting into flames. The witnesses also reported that the landing gear had been retracted prior to the airplane initiating the left bank. Two witnesses reported hearing a strong engine sound while on the takeoff initial climb; however, they also reported that at some point they were not able to hear the engine. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the 66-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. The pilot held a third-class m
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to return to the runway at a high density altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
- Cessna 402C, Jun 19, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Aug 17, 1983
- Piper PA-31-350, Feb 13, 1995
- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
