Piper PA 28R-180 accident near Saratoga, WY
On September 21, 2014, a Piper PA 28R-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Saratoga, WY. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 21, 2014
- Place
- Saratoga, WY
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28R-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.432°N, 106.841°W
- NTSB ID
- 20140921X40740
Official records · WPR14FA382
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 20, 2014, about 2315 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA28R-180, N4618J, impacted terrain about 1.3 miles southeast of the Shively Field Airport, Saratoga, Wyoming. The private pilot and student pilot were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to a private individual, and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. Dark night conditions prevailed for the flight, and a visual flight rules flight plan had not been filed. The flight originated from Shively Field Airport about 2314, and was destined for Denver, Colorado. The airplane wreckage was found by a local rancher about 0815 on September 21. First responders confirmed both occupants were fatalities. The initial point of impact was a shallow 7-foot-long ground scar that was oriented in direct line with the main wreckage on a magnetic bearing of 240 degrees. The main wreckage was located 130 feet from the initial point of impact on the same bearing. The registered owner of the airplane stated that he received a voice message from the pilot on September 20, which was time stamped 2303 mountain daylight time. In the message, the pilot stated that they were in Saratoga, and were preflighting the airplane in the dark. The registered owner returned the call at 2331, which went unanswered by the pilot. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 52, held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land issued May 26, 2014, and a third-class medical certificate issued September 9, 2013, with the
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff in dark, night conditions, which resulted in his controlled flight into terrain due to the lack of ground references or natural horizon.
More accidents in WY
- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12/47E, Jul 26, 2024
- Cessna 441, Aug 29, 1986
- Cessna 182A, Mar 13, 2016
- Cessna T310R, Jul 18, 2015
- Piper PA-32R-301T, Oct 9, 2012
Browse: Wyoming · 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.
