Piper PA-28R-200 accident near W. Yellowstone, Montana, June 15, 1992
On June 15, 1992, a Piper PA-28R-200, registered N2839R, was substantially damaged in an accident near W. Yellowstone, Montana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A STALL/MUSH ENCOUNTERED DUE TO POOR PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND GROSS WEIGHT EXCEEDED.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 1992
- Place
- W. Yellowstone, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200 · all PA-28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N2839R · no longer on the register · serial 28R-35304
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, WITH TWENTY-FIVE DEGREES OF FLAPS EXTENDED, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. THE AIRPLANE REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL WHEN IT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT INITIATED A LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. POST CRASH INSPECTION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE EXCEEDED MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.
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: 904 hours in all; 355 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 839 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 42U Mt Green UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.