# NTSB LAX95LA065: Piper PA-22-161, N2269Z, Elko, NV, December 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1994, 12:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.950954, -115.790649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9510&lon=-115.7906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29005/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA065

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A MUDDY, DIRT STRIP WITHOUT FIRST INSPECTING THE CONDITION OF THE SURFACE.  THE LENGTH OF THE STRIP IS 1,000 FEET.  THE AIRCRAFT CLIPPED A WIRE FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END AND CRASH-LANDED INTO AN ADJACENT FIELD.  THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Factual narrative

On December 29, 1994, at 1235 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-161, N2269Z, nosed over during an attempted takeoff from a privately-owned dirt strip at Elko, Nevada.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot and one of his two passengers were not injured.  The other passenger received a minor injury.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time for the personal flight to Kellogg, Idaho.

The accident was reported by a deputy sheriff who noticed the aircraft upside-down in a muddy field.  The pilot reportedly recovered the aircraft to his home and drove to Idaho afterwards.

The pilot reported that he had made several flights into the dirt strip before the weather warmed up which softened the runway surface considerably, especially at the departure end.  He said he failed to inspect the runway condition prior to takeoff.  He described the dirt surface as muddy.  The length of the dirt strip is 1,000 feet.  During the takeoff, he used the entire runway and clipped the barbed wire fence at the end.  The aircraft crashed into the field, buckled the left main landing gear, and nosed over.  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2269Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2269Z-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 22-157, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-157
- Airframe hours: 2658
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jackie R. Shipp
- Registered owner: Jackie R. Shipp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: S83, KELLOGG, ID
- Airport: runway 12, 1,000 × 20 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 462 total, 410 in this make and model, 462 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19941229043309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941229043309A), Dec 29, 1994: Piper PA22150, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Unable to accelerate on short muddy strip. Failed to abort takeoff. Clipped fence buckled landing gear. Nosed over.

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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