Piper PA-28-180 accident near Carson City, Nevada, May 13, 2004
On May 13, 2004 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N7584W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Carson City, Nevada (Carson City airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted touch-and-go landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2004 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Carson City, Nevada · Carson City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N7584W · no longer on the register · serial 28-1530
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with obstacles after an aborted touch-and-go landing. A witness stated that the airplane appeared to make a low approach and either bounced on touchdown or initiated an aborted landing from a very low altitude. The pilot added power and drifted to the left of the runway's centerline. The airplane became airborne and continued to diverge from the runway. The airplane experienced some pitch oscillations, and the pilot began to lower the nose. The airplane continued to fly over the taxiway, clearing the airport boundary fence. It crossed over a road, clipping trees in the roadway median, and collided with a cement wall and shed on the other side of the wall. The pilot held a student pilot certificate issued June 17, 2003. He had about 45 total hours and about 3 hours solo time. During an examination of the wreckage, it was determined that the flaps were retracted, and the fuel selector was positioned to the left tank. Except for where the aileron cables were cut during recovery, control continuity was confirmed to all primary and secondary flight controls. Fuel was present at the accident site; however, the tanks were breached and a quantity could not be determined. The aviation routine weather report (METAR) for the closest weather reporting station stated that the winds were from 300 degrees at 5 knots.
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: 45 hours in all; 3 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,147 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2004; 1.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CXP Carson City NV at 1:45 pm
- Destination: CXP Carson City NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 5,906 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 pm from RNO, 18 miles away
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.