# NTSB CHI95LA306: Piper PA-11, N70613, Badger, SD, September 5, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1995, 19:00 local (Sep 5, 1995, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Badger, SD
- Coordinates: 44.479816, -97.199203 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4798&lon=-97.1992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA306

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while making a steep right turn. A contributing factor was the insufficient altitude needed to make a recovery.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS OUT CHECKING CROPS ON PRIVATE LAND. HE REPORTED THAT HE MADE A RIGHT TURN TOO STEEP AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 1995, at 1900 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 11, N70613, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain in Badger, South Dakota.  The pilot, who was seriously injured, was maneuvering the airplane in a steep turn when the airplane stalled.  The passenger was also seriously injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed a private airstrip in Badger, South Dakota, on a local flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he was out checking crops on private land.  He reported that he made a right turn too steep and stalled the airplane.  He did not have sufficient altitude to recover.

The pilot also reported that he did not have a current biennial flight review.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N70613 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 54037L8
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-F reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Christensen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1994, 70 hours before
- Departed: NONE, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: front; flight hours: 165 total, 70 in this make and model, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATY, 40 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19950904027889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950904027889A), Sep 4, 1995: Piper PA11, Badger, SD, Destroyed. Crop survey low altitude. Made steep turn and stalled. Too low to recover. (-23) on September 4, 1995, private pilot george l. christensen, acting as…

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.

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