# NTSB SEA91LA164: Piper PA-22-150, N5826D, Dayton, WY, July 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1991, 13:09 local (19:09 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, WY
- Coordinates: 44.87041, -107.250968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8704&lon=-107.2510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA164

## Probable cause

SEVERE DOWN DRAFTS.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  TERRAIN CLEARANCE WAS NOT MAINTAINED, AND A POOR WEATHER EVALUATION, BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SEVERE DOWN DRAFTS.  UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5826D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5826D-1994-08-15), registration cancelled 1994-08-15, S/N 224501 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry L. Bradley
- Registered owner: Larry L. Bradley
- Departed: DAYTON, WY
- Destination: GEY, GREYBULL, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 265 total, 265 in this make and model, 234 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHR, 13 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 19910708026589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910708026589A), Jul 8, 1991: Piper PA22150, Dayton, WY, Substantial damage. Made wrong turn into a blind canyon. Unable to clear rising terrain. Crash landed on mountainside.

## Other investigations on N5826D (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC78FFJ27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FFJ27), Jul 30, 1978: Piper PA-22 (N5826D), Cicero, NY, substantial damage

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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