Piper PA-22-150 accident near Elkins, West Virginia, June 1, 1991
On June 1, 1991, a Piper PA-22-150, registered N6904B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elkins, West Virginia (Elkins-Randolph CO. airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 1991
- Place
- Elkins, West Virginia · Elkins-Randolph CO.
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-150 · all PA-22-150s on the register
- Registration
- N6904B · no longer on the register · serial 22-4176
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT HAD COMPLETED TWO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 32 AND HAD JUST LIFTED OFF THE RUNAY FOR A THIRD, WHEN THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED RUNNING. HE QUICKLY CHECKED HIS FUEL GAUGES, MAGNETO SWITCH AND SWITCHED THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR WITH NO SUCESS. SINCE THE TERRAIN STRAIGHT AHEAD WAS UNSUITABLE, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A 100 DEGREE GLIDING LEFT TURN AND LANDED IN AN OPEN AREA. AT THE END OF HIS 200 FOOT GROUND ROLL, THE AIRCRAT STRUCK A FENCE POST AND TIPPED ON IT'S NOSE AND CAME TO A STOP INVERTED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 33 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 12 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,261 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 1990; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EKN Elkins WV at 11:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.