Piper PA-22-161 accident near Elko, Nevada, December 29, 1994
On December 29, 1994 at about 8:35 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-161, registered N2269Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elko, Nevada. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 29, 1994 · about 8:35 pm local time
- Place
- Elko, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-161 · all PA-22-161s on the register
- Registration
- N2269Z · no longer on the register · serial 22-157
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A MUDDY, DIRT STRIP WITHOUT FIRST INSPECTING THE CONDITION OF THE SURFACE. THE LENGTH OF THE STRIP IS 1,000 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT CLIPPED A WIRE FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END AND CRASH-LANDED INTO AN ADJACENT FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH 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
- Flight time: 462 hours in all; 410 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 462 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,658 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: S83 Kellogg ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 1,000 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.