# NTSB LAX08CA275: Piper PA-11, N1106T, Sheridan, WY, August 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 21, 2008, 12:12 local (18:12 UTC) - Place: Sheridan, WY - Coordinates: 44.558334, -107.210556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5583&lon=-107.2106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68781 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68781/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA275 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty wind conditions and likely windshear encounter and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/mush. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-11, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses at the private dirt strip reported that it was windy during the time of the accident, though neither the pilot nor the witnesses were able to recall the exact wind velocity. The pilot reported that after clearing trees, the wind changed from a right quartering headwind and he was "blown out of the air." He was able to level the airplane before it impacted the ground and cartwheeled. The airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude abutting a tree. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative Repeated attempts to contact the pilot were unsuccessful. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane was taking off in a southbound direction from a private dirt strip about 16 miles southwest of the Sheridan County Airport (SHR), Sheridan, Wyoming. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that the airplane had cleared 50 foot trees and was about 100 feet above the ground, when the right quartering headwind changed and the airplane was "blown out of the air." The pilot was able to level the airplane before the airplane stuck the ground and cartwheeled, coming to rest in a nose down attitude at a tree. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot was not able to recall the wind velocity. Witnesses in the area reported that it was windy. Wind information recorded by SHR indicated that the winds were from 140 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1106T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1106T), registered now, S/N 11-996, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11 - Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11-996 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors C90 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John R. Pierce - Registered owner: John R. Pierce - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SHR, Sheridan, WY - Destination: SHR, Sheridan, WY - Airport: none, Private Dirt Strip, runway 18, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2008; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: SHR, 16 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 20080821844629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080821844629A), Aug 21, 2008: Piper PA11, Sheridan, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) Just after takeoff at about 60 feet above ground the pilot attempted a right turn and lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft turned left and impacted… 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.