Piper PA 28-140 accident near Wishek, ND
On June 9, 2016, a Piper PA 28-140 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wishek, ND. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 9, 2016
- Place
- Wishek, ND
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28-140 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.245°N, 99.545°W
- NTSB ID
- 20160609X92608
Official records · CEN16FA212
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 9, 2016, about 1521 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N6223W, impacted a lake while departing from Wishek Municipal Airport (6L5), Wishek, North Dakota. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to the Cherokee Flying Club and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The personal flight departed without a flight plan and was destined for Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS), Bismarck, North Dakota. According to the pilot's parents, the pilot was flying his aunt and cousin to Bismarck so that his cousin could receive urgent dental care. The pilot was a member of the flying club that owned the airplane. Another member of the club, who spoke with the pilot about 10 minutes before the airplane's departure, reported that he thought that the pilot and passengers were rushing as they prepared to leave. A witness located on the airport ramp saw the airplane depart on runway 14 and climb out with a nose-high attitude. According to the witness, after entering a right turn, the airplane rapidly pitched down to a nose-low attitude. Downloaded data from a portable GPS navigation device found in the airplane revealed that the airplane made a right turn after takeoff at 160 ft above ground level and 48 knots groundspeed. The right turn continued for the next 20 seconds during which time the airplane climbed about 30 ft and its grounds
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a climbing turn after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to quickly transport his cousin for urgent dental care.
More accidents in ND
- Cessna 401A, Feb 24, 1994
- Piper PA-24-250, Oct 22, 1986
- Cessna 441, Nov 18, 2018
- Beech V35B, Jul 31, 1992
- Cessna T210N, May 22, 1986
Browse: North Dakota · 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.
