# Accident 20140920020719A: Piper PA-28R-180, Saratoga, WY, September 20, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 20, 2014, 23:30 local time
- Place: Saratoga, WY
- Airport: Shively Field
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.4322° N, 106.8414° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4322&lon=-106.8414&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4618J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4618J-2018-03-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28R-180 (registry code 7102809, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 208 total, 47 in this make and model, 58 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14FA382](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA382) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140920020719A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 2330 HRS THE SEL RATED PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER(HOLDING A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE) DEPARTED THE 8800 X 100 FOOT, 7010 ELEVATION, PAVED RUNWAY 23 AT SARATOGA, WY UNDER VMC WEATHER AND VERY DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT MADE A SLIGHT LEFT TURN AND IMPACTED THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER MILE SOUTH OF RUNWAY 23. THE FIRST IMPACT AT A HEADING OF 240 DEGREES WAS THE RIGHT WINGTIP FOLLOWED BY THE TWO PROPELLER STRIKES, NOSEWHEEL STRIKE AND FINALLY A NOSE DOWN IMPACT WITH THE AIRCRAFT COMING TO REST BELLY TO THE GROUND AT A 214 DEGREE HEADING. BOTH OCCUPANTS SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A SMALL POST CRASH FIRE UNDER THE ENGINE WHICH SELF EXTINGUISHED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR14FA382](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA382), Sep 21, 2014: Piper PA 28R-180 (N4618J), Saratoga, WY, substantial damage, 2 fatal. 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…

## Other reports on N4618J (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19840807048779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840807048779I), Aug 7, 1984: Piper PA28R200 (N4618J), Plainview, TX, Minor damage. Activated the gear but failed to note gear down. Landed gear up. Circuit breaker had popped due to a broken wire.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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