Sisters Eagle Air Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Sisters, Oregon 97759
Thursday, August 22, 1996 12:41 PDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The student pilot reported that he made an uneventful full flap landing at the airstrip for the completion of the first leg of the instructional cross-country flight. Also, he stated that he did not feel comfortable with the takeoff because he was aware that the airplane was heavy and the density altitude was high. During takeoff, the student followed along as the instructor (CFI) operated the controls until rotation. At that point, the CFI had full control of the airplane. The student stated that he noticed the airspeed was decreasing below 70 knots during the climb, and called out the airspeed when it dropped to 55 knots. At about this time, the student lightly pushed forward on the control yoke, but the CFI continued to pull back. The airplane entered a stall, and the nose and right wing dropped. The airplane then collided with hilly terrain about a half mile north of the airstrip. Weight and balance calculations showed the airplane was about 100 lbs over the maximum certificated gross weight. The density altitude was calculated at 5,252 feet. During an examination, the flaps were found fully extended and the elevator trim was in a nearly full nose up position. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found during an engine examination.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the flight instructor (CFI), and his failure to obtain and/or maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Excessive gross weight, high density altitude, and improper use of flaps were related factors.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 8/22/1996
Event Day of the Week Thursday
Time of Event 1241
Event Time Zone Pacific Daylight Time
Event City SISTERS
Event State OREGON
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 97759
Event Date Year 1996
Event Date Month 8
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport SISTERS EAGLE AIR
Event Location Nearest Airport ID 6K5
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport 340
Airport Elevation 3168
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation 0
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID
Elevation of weather observation facility 0
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 20
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 29
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 2
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 330
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 8
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30
Density Altitude (feet) 5252
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 2
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 1383
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date Aug 22 1996 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1400
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information IMAGE
Date of most recent change to record Dec 8 2000 10:18AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N2465K
NTSB Number SEA96LA199
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed VFR
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Piper
Aircraft Model PA-38-112
Aircraft Series Identifier PA-38-112
Aircraft Serial Number 38-79A0650
Certified Max Gross Weight 1670
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Sep 4 1995 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 65
Airframe Hours 2664
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name JACK HEALY
Aircraft Owner Street Address 1600 W. AIRWAY RD
Aircraft Owner City LEBANON
Aircraft Owner State OR
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 97355
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name JACK'S AIRCRAFT
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address
Operator City
Operator State
Operator Country
Operator Zip code
Operator Code
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Instructional
Second Pilot on Board Yes
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code
Departure City
Departure State
Departure Country
Departure Time 1237
Departure Time Zone PDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code S30
Destination City LEBANON
Destination State OR
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight Takeoff
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 2 2001 10:30AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 2
Runway Length 3550
Runway Width 50
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --