# NTSB LAX94LA287: Piper PA-28-140, N6785W, Elko, NV, July 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1994, 13:07 local (20:07 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.950519, -115.789123 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9505&lon=-115.7891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA287

## Probable cause

the pilots attempted takeoff with a strong and gusty tailwind.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOTS ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 23, WHICH IS 7,211 FEET IN LENGTH.  BOTH PILOTS STATED THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE GROUND.  THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE.  THE WINDS WERE FROM 340 DEGREES AT 18 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 54 KNOTS.  THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Factual narrative

On July 16, 1994, at 1307 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6785W, collided with a fence after an in-flight loss of control during takeoff from runway 23 at the Elko Municipal Airport, Elko, Nevada.  The airplane was being operated as a personal flight by the second pilot/co-owner when the accident occurred.  The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the two pilots were not injured.  The flight was destined for Grants Pass, Oregon.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

Both pilots reported encountering a downdraft at 200 feet above the ground after takeoff.  The airplane descended and collided with the fence off the end of the runway.

The winds at the airport were reported to be from 350 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 54 knots at the time of the accident. Runway 23 is 7,211 feet in length and 150 feet wide.

Neither the pilot nor student pilot submitted an aircraft accident report.  The pilot surrendered his pilot certificate to the Federal Aviation Administration in Reno, Nevada, on January 23, 1995.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6785W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6785W-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 28-20915, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20915
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dietz, Craig S.
- Registered owner: Jerry L. Pennington
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: 3S8, GRANTS PASS, OR
- Airport: EKO, Elko Municipal, runway 23, 7,211 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 710 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 18 knots, gusting 54
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKO

## 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 19940716018629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940716018629A), Jul 16, 1994: Piper PA28140, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Departed in severe gusty wind. Encountered downdraft on climbout. Descended and collided with a fence.

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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