Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
pilot's improper preflight planning and failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors include improper short field takeoff procedures and the high vegetation at the end of the runway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 18, 2003, at approximately 1905 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA 28-180, N2537R, was substantially damaged when it impacted high vegetation at Mexican Mountain, a private airstrip northwest of Green River, Utah. The private pilot and his three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, bound for Richfield, Utah.
According to the pilot, the airplane was departing to the west. The pilot stated that he had "failed to leave enough [room] to get proper airspeed" to clear the brush at the west end of the runway. The airplane impacted the brush.
During the impact, the right wing was separated from the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN03LA108