Piper PA-28-235 accident near Jackpot, Nevada, March 4, 1994
On March 4, 1994 at about 5:40 am local time, a Piper PA-28-235, registered N9192W, was destroyed in an accident near Jackpot, Nevada (Hayden Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft after his loss of visual contact with outside references. Factors in the accident were the dark night lighting conditions and spatial disorientation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 4, 1994 · about 5:40 am local time
- Place
- Jackpot, Nevada · Hayden Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-235 · all PA-28-235s on the register
- Registration
- N9192W · no longer on the register · serial 28-10850
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after takeoff from runway 15 he initially climbed 300 feet and began a left crosswind turn. The pilot said that after beginning the turn he subsequently lost visual reference with the horizon, became disoriented, and unknowingly allowed the aircraft to descend until the left wing contacted the terrain below. The aircraft cartwheeled approximately 200 yards until coming to rest. The pilot was instrument rated in airplanes, but said he was not current. After impact, a postcrash fire ignited which subsequently destroyed the aircraft.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 900 hours in all; 900 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 750 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,260 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 14, 1993; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Destination: IDA Idaho Falls ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 6,200 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.