Piper PA-22-135 accident near Verlot, WA
On July 8, 2011, a Piper PA-22-135 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Verlot, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 8, 2011
- Place
- Verlot, WA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-135 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.123°N, 121.664°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110709X90812
Official records · WPR11FA319
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 8, 2011, about 0905 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135, N8721C, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain near Verlot, Washington. The airplane was registered to the pilot and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed within the vicinity of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from a private airstrip near Elk, Washington, about 0520, with an intended destination of Arlington, Washington. Family members of the pilot reported that the pilot departed Elk, Washington with the intention of flying to Arlington to attend the Arlington fly-in. The pilot told family that he planned to go to Ellensburg, Washington, if the weather was bad along his intended route of flight. A family member of the pilot reported the airplane overdue to local law enforcement the morning of July 9, 2011, after becoming concerned when the pilot had not arrived at his intended destination. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Alert Notification (ALNOT) for the missing airplane. The wreckage was located by United States Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel about 1400 on July 9 in heavily wooded mountainous terrain near Liberty Mountain. Review of recorded radar data revealed that a primary target attributed to the accident airplane began about 7 minutes after the approximate time of departure and 3 miles southwest of the departu
Probable cause
The non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into clouds and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in an area of reduced visibility, low clouds, and mountain obscuration.
More accidents in WA
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Browse: Washington · 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.
