Piper PA-23-160 accident near Ontario, Oregon, July 15, 2004
On July 15, 2004 at about 2:19 pm local time, a Piper PA-23-160, registered N4439P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ontario, Oregon (Ontario Muni airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering for an approach to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2004 · about 2:19 pm local time
- Place
- Ontario, Oregon · Ontario Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-160 · all PA-23-160s on the register
- Registration
- N4439P · no longer on the register · serial 23-1956
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The FAR Part 91 instructional flight was the second pilot's third flight in two days in the multi-engine airplane. The second pilot had recently purchased the airplane to pursue a multi-engine rating. Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane traveling toward the airport from the southeast in a level flight attitude. A witness stated the airplane was traveling slowly "as if on a landing procedure." The witness stated that shortly thereafter the airplane appeared to "auger" toward the ground in a left wing low attitude. The witness reported that the airplane made approximately three revolutions before impacting the terrain in a nose low attitude. During the post crash examination of the airframe, it was noted that the emergency hydraulic pump handle was observed in the full aft (extended) position. The accident site was located approximately two miles from the destination airport. Examination of the airframe and both engines revealed no evidence of a pre crash failure or anomaly.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 24 in the last 30 days; 680 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 25, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming O-320 B (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming O-320 B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BOI Boise ID at 1:30 pm
- Destination: ONO Ontario OR
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KONO, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.