# NTSB LAX06CA223: Piper PA28-181, N6413C, Dorris, CA, July 3, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2006, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Dorris, CA - Coordinates: 41.88972, -121.981391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8897&lon=-121.9814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA223 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA223 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall/mush. A contributing factor was the high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane impacted the ground during an attempted go-around. Before the flight, the pilot performed weight and balance and density altitude calculations. After a 1-hour local flight, the pilot circled over the airport and determined the winds to be calm. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 34 and extended 40 degrees of flaps. The pilot noticed a slight crosswind from the west and applied crosswind correction. On short final, the airplane was aligned with the runway at an indicated airspeed of 65 knots. As the airplane crossed the approach end of the runway it rolled to the left and the stall warning horn sounded. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying full power and retracting the flaps to 25 degrees. The airplane continued to descend, so the pilot released right rudder pressure and leveled the wings in an attempt to climb; however, the airplane continued to descend on a heading of 310 degrees. About 10 feet above ground level, the pilot pulled back on the yoke in an effort to slow the airplane down. The plane touched down on the main landing gear in a field about 100 yards west of the runway. The left wing dug into the ground and the airplane spun 90 degrees to the left before coming to a stop. The calculated density altitude was 6,313 feet. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2006, about 1140 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N6413C, collided with terrain during an attempted go-around at Butte Valley Airport, Dorris, California. Tradewinds Aviation was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The renter private pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Butte Valley about 1030. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. On the morning of the flight, the pilot calculated the weight and balance limitations, density altitude, and checked the weather forecast for the area using the Automated Digital Data System (ADDS). The flight departed Butte Valley Airport at 1030, and returned 1 hour later. The pilot circled over the airport and determined that the winds were calm. He entered a left traffic pattern for runway 34 and extended his downwind leg to properly set up for the approach. Upon turning final, the airplane was configured with 40 degrees of flaps. The pilot noticed a slight crosswind from the west and applied crosswind correction. On short final, the airplane was aligned with the runway with an indicated airspeed of about 65 knots. The airplane crossed the approach end of the runway 50 feet above ground level (agl). At this time, the airplane rolled suddenly to the left and the stall warning horn briefly sounded. The pilot initiated a go-around by applying full power and retracting the flaps to 25 degrees. The pilot attempted to correct the airplane's left turning tendency with right rudder input. As the airplane continued to descend, the pilot released right rudder pressure and leveled the wings in an attempt to climb. The airplane continued to descend on a heading of 310 degrees. About 10 feet agl, the pilot pulled back on the yoke in an effort to slow the airplane down as much as possible. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear in a field about 100 yards west of the runway. The left wing dug into the ground and the airplane spun 90 degrees to the left before coming to a stop. Butte Valley Airport is located at an elevation of 4,243 feet. At the time of the accident, the Klamath Falls Airport Automated Surface Observing System, 20 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius and a barometric pressure of 30.13 inches of Mercury. The calculated density altitude for Butte Valley Airport using Klamath Falls weather information at the time of the accident was 6,313 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6413C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6413C-2007-02-16), registration cancelled 2007-02-16, S/N 28-7890372, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7890372 - Airframe hours: 4132 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tradewinds Aviation - Registered owner: JWA Enterprises, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2006, 44 hours before - Departed: A32, Dorris, CA - Destination: A32, Dorris, CA - Airport: A32, Butte Valley Airport, runway 34, 4,300 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 69 total, 12 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: LMT, 20 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 20060703013639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060703013639A), Jul 3, 2006: Piper PA28181, Dorris, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing on rwy 23, pilot encountered a gust of wind and tried to abort by applying full power and positioned flaps in second detent. Aircraft was… 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.