Summary
On July 16, 1994, a Piper PA-28-140 (N6785W) was involved in an incident near Elko, NV. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilots attempted takeoff with a strong and gusty tailwind.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX94LA287. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6785W.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilots attempted takeoff with a strong and gusty tailwind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA287