# NTSB FTW97LA337: Piper PA-22, N8731C, Saratoga, WY, September 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 1997, 08:35 local (14:35 UTC) - Place: Saratoga, WY - Coordinates: 41.450592, -106.809272 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4506&lon=-106.8093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20336/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA337 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to consult airplane performance data based upon the weather conditions that prevailed. Factors were terrain induced turbulence and high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - weather condition - turbulence,terrain induced (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated he took off on runway 23 at Saratoga, Wyoming, but the airplane would not climb. The airplane began descending and impacted terrain approximately one mile west of the airport. The pilot attributed the descent to 'winds spilling over the ridge.' At the time of the accident, recorded winds at Laramie, Wyoming (located 37 miles north-northwest of Saratoga) were from 220 degrees at 12 knots. The altimeter setting was 30.47 inches of mercury, and the temperature was 79 degrees F. Saratoga Airport is situated at an elevation of 6,987 feet msl (above mean sea level). Based on this meteorological information, density altitude at Saratoga was computed to be approximately 9,113 feet msl. The airplane manufacturer calculated that the airplane could achieve a 450 feet per minute rate of climb. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 1997, approximately 0835 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-22 (converted to a PA-20), N8731C, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Saratoga, Wyoming. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the proposed personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had just originated at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was planning to fly from Saratoga to Sidney, Nebraska, with an eventual destination of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The pilot said he took off on runway 23, but the airplane would not climb. The airplane began descending and impacted terrain approximately 1 mile west of the airport. The pilot attributed the descent to "winds spilling over the ridge." At the time of the accident, recorded winds at Laramie, Wyoming (37 miles north-northwest of Saratoga), were from 220 degrees at 12 knots. The altimeter setting was 30.47 inches of mercury, and the temperature was 79 degrees F. Saratoga's Shively Field is situated at an elevation of 6,987 feet msl (above mean sea level). Based on this meteorological information, density altitude at Saratoga was computed to be approximately 9,113 feet msl. The Piper Aircraft Corporation was asked to do a performance study for N8731C. Based on the airport data at Saratoga, the meteorological conditions at Rawlins, and a maximum gross weight assumption, it was calculated that the airplane could achieve a 450 feet per minute rate of climb. The airplane was taken to Aircraft Fabrication and Repair, Guernsey, Wyoming. According to their mechanic, damage consisted of a sheared main landing gear, buckled firewall, and a twisted fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8731C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8731C-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 22-1383, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-1383 - Airframe hours: 1715 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mervin D. Rutledge - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1997, 38 hours before - Departed: SAA - Destination: SNY, SIDNEY, NE - Airport: SAA, Shively Airport, runway 23, 8,403 × 75 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 539 total, 413 in this make and model, 493 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RWL, 37 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 19970903047879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970903047879A), Sep 3, 1997: Piper PA22, Saratoga, WY, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot consideration of aircraft limitations and performance was inadequate during high density altitude flight operations. ## Other investigations on N8731C (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 MKC80FCD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80FCD04), Oct 28, 1979: Piper PA-22 (N8731C), Des Moines, IA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.