Piper PA-28-140 N8772N

Summary

On 7 September 1998 at about 17:26 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N8772N was involved in an accident near Truckee, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 September 1998 at 17:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Truckee, California, United States

Nearest airport

Truckee (TRK)

Coordinates

39.3303, -120.2402

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N8772N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Truckee → Troutdale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98LA283

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in temperature conditions conducive to carburetor icing and his failure to lean the engine in a high density altitude environment, which combined, led to a partial loss of engine power and the onset of a stall during the forced landing in rough uneven terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot took off with twice the amount of fuel needed to fly to his next fuel stop. After takeoff the aircraft was not able to gain speed or altitude. He had not leaned the mixture and the aircraft performance continued to decrease so the pilot decided to turn back toward the airport. The aircraft began to stall and he nosed the aircraft into the ground to avoid hitting power lines and other nearby structures. The temperature at the time of the accident was reported as 63 degrees, dew point 61 degrees with a density altitude of 7,400 feet. The pilot reported that he had not attempted to use carburetor heat. He stated there was no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.