Piper PA 28-140 N6223W

Summary

On 9 June 2016 at about 20:21 local time, a Piper PA 28-140 registered N6223W was involved in an accident near Wishek, North Dakota, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 June 2016 at 20:21

Classification

Accident

Location

Wishek, North Dakota, United States

Nearest airport

Wishek Muni (6L5)

Coordinates

46.2447, -99.5447

Aircraft

Piper PA 28-140

Registration

N6223W

Category

Airplane

Year built

1964

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wishek → Bismarck

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16FA212

3 people died.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot was flying his aunt and cousin to a location where his cousin could receive urgent dental care. The pilot was a member of the flying club that owned the airplane, and another member of the flying club reported that he thought that the pilot and his passengers were rushing as they prepared to leave. A witness located on the airport ramp saw the airplane take off, climb with a nose-high attitude, turn right, and rapidly pitch down to a nose-low attitude. The airplane was found in a lake 1/2 mile from the airport. Downloaded data from an onboard GPS navigation device were consistent with the observations of the witness and indicated that the airplane began to turn right at 160 ft above ground level with a groundspeed of 48 knots. The right turn continued for 20 seconds during which time the airplane climbed about 40 ft and its groundspeed ranged from 53 to 59 knots. The airplane then rapidly descended into the lake.   The damage to the airplane indicated that it impacted the lake in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude with low forward velocity. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The GPS data, the witness report, and the damage to the airplane were consistent with the pilot failing to maintain sufficient airspeed during a climbing turn after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.   The purpose of the flight was for an urgent medical issue. The pilot's rushed activities before flight, and his actions immediately after takeoff to enter a climbing turn at low altitude without ensuring sufficient airspeed, are consistent with the effects of self-induced pressure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.