# NTSB SEA91FA255: Lake LA-250, N1404X, Sisters, OR, September 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1991, 12:26 local (19:26 UTC)
- Place: Sisters, OR
- Coordinates: 44.409652, -121.92089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4097&lon=-121.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA255

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT(S), AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT(S) FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, RISING TERRAIN AND TREES BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THE PLTS HAD DIFFICULTY LOCATING THE ARPT. AFTER LNDG, THEY ELECTED TO TAKEOFF ON RWY 2, TOWARD TREES & RISING TRRN. ABT 17 MI EAST AT REDMAN, OR, THE 1215 WX WAS, IN PART: SKY CLEAR, VIS 10 MI, WIND FM 030 DEG AT 4 KTS. AT SISTERS, OR, THE DENSITY ALT WAS ABT 5500 FT. WITNESSES NOTED THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS TAXIED ONTO THE APCH END OF THE RWY, THEN TAXIED DOWN THE RWY ABT 100 FT BEFORE STARTING A ROLLING TAKEOFF. THERE WERE INDCNS THAT THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLR A RIDGE BEYOND THE DEP END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP LEFT TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT STRUCK TREES ABT 50 FT AGL & CRASHED. WITNESSES RPRTD THE ENG WAS RUNNING AT HI POWER UNTIL IMPACT. ALSO, WITNESSES RPRTD THAT PILOTS, WHO WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE ARPT, FAVORED RWY 20 DRG CALM OR LIGHT WINDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1404X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1404X-1994-11-07), registration cancelled 1994-11-07, S/N 44 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-250
- Registry model: [Aerofab LAKE LA-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerofab-lake-la-250) (registry code 5110321) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44
- Airframe hours: 326
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stuart W. Moore
- Registered owner: Stuart W. Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1991, 121 hours before
- Destination: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 6K5, Sisters Eagle Air, runway 2, 3,550 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 217 total, 111 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 17 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 19910929053589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910929053589A), Sep 29, 1991: Amtrsx RENEGADE, Sisters, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Near gross weight light wind and hot. Unable clear trees stalled steep turn. Owner giving dual to second pilot.

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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