Piper PA-22-150 accident near Reno, Nevada, November 1, 1992
On November 1, 1992 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-150, registered N3722Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Reno, Nevada (Nevada Flyers airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH, INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WINDS, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE AND INADVERTENT STALL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 1992 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · Nevada Flyers · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-150 · all PA-22-150s on the register
- Registration
- N3722Z · no longer on the register · serial 22-7596
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE PARTICIPATING IN A FLOUR BOMBING AND POWER OFF SPOT LANDING CONTEST. AFTER COMPLETING THE FLOUR BOMBING EVENT THE PILOT ENTERED A LEFT DOWNWIND TO LAND ON A NORTH RUNWAY. THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM THE WEST AT 10 MPH, GUSTING TO 20 MPH WITH ASSOCIATED DOWNDRAFTS OFF OF THE RIDGE WEST OF THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE OVERSHOT THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE WHILE AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND SLOW AIRSPEED. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER, BUT CONTINUED TO INCREASE THE BANK. THE WING STALLED AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 159 hours in all; 69 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 122 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,514 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 9, 1991; 71 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 4,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.