# NTSB SEA86LA242: Piper PA-28-140, N15390, Pomeroy, WA, September 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1986, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Pomeroy, WA
- Coordinates: 46.439067, -117.539611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4391&lon=-117.5396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA242

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING OVER UNFAMILIAR TERRAIN AT A LOW ALTITUDE IN ORDER TO SPOT ELK. THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STEEP RISING TERRAIN WHICH HIS AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO OUT CLIMB. DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT COMPUTES TO BE APPROXIMATELY 7,500 FEET. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A CLEARING THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE STUMP AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15390 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325056
- Airframe hours: 2783
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Darian D. Liepelt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1985
- Departed: SFF, SPOKANE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,555 total, 20 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860906044439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860906044439A), Sep 6, 1986: Piper PA28140, Pomeroy, WA, Destroyed. The aircraft struck a stump and flipped over during a forced landing in a box canyon. High density altitude.

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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