# Accident 20201107015449A: Piper PA-22-135, Dunn Center, ND, November 7, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 7, 2020, 20:18 local time
- Place: Dunn Center, ND
- Airport: Synnes Private
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.2272° N, 102.5167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2272&lon=-102.5167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3606A, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3606A-2022-07-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-22-135 (registry code 7102206, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 81 total, 77 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA044) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201107015449A

## Narrative

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

THE VFR AIRCRAFT DEPARTED AN UNIMPROVED AIRSTRIP AT NIGHT IN FOG AND LOW OVERCAST.  THE AIRSTRIP OWNER AND PRIMARY WITNESS, FOLLOWED THE AIRCRAFT WITH HIS TRUCK TO PROVIDE LIGHTING FOR THE TAKE-OFF.  THE WITNESS STATED THE AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION LIGHTS DISAPPEARED INTO THE OVERCAST WITHIN SECONDS AFTER TAKE-OFF. THE WITNESS COULD HEAR THE AIRCRAFT RUNNING AT A HIGH RATE OF RPM JUST BEFORE HEARING A LOUD ?CRACK?.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE TOP OF A HILL ¼ MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT.  THE DEBRIS FIELD INDICATED THE AIRCRAFT HAD STRUCK A FENCE POST WITH THE RIGHT WING IN A NEAR 90 DEGREE BANK ANGLE.  THE RIGHT SIDE FUSELAGE STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED.  THE PILOT AND SOLE OCCUPANT WAS FATALLY INJURED.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.  WEATHER AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 200 FEET OVERCAST IN FOG AND LIGHT DRIZZLE.

## 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 CEN21LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA044), Nov 8, 2020: Piper PA-22-135 (N3606A), Dunn Center, ND, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.

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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