Amateur-built STRETCHED accident near Peach Springs, Arizona, May 8, 2009
On May 8, 2009 at about 9:30 pm local time, a amateur-built STRETCHED, registered N11LF, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Peach Springs, Arizona (Peach Tree Springs 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 airplane's encounter with turbulence after takeoff, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 2009 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Peach Springs, Arizona · Peach Tree Springs · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built STRETCHED
- Registration
- N11LF · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the initial takeoff and climb from Runway 23 he encountered "severe clear air turbulence" about midway down the runway. He regained control and continued the climb. Towards the end of the runway, at 300 to 400 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered more "clear air turbulence which took the airplane south of the runway and all the way to the ground." Local law enforcement reported seeing dust devils and whirlwinds in the area after the accident. The pilot reported that the winds were from 230 degrees at 15 knots. He stated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane's flight control system or engine prior to the accident.
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
What happened, in order
- Clear air turbulence encounter during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Clear air turbulence › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Dust devil/whirlwind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 142 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 80 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 11, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,580 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L37 Peach Springs AZ at 7:15 pm
- Destination: T65 Weslaco TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 5,100 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Observation at 8:54 pm from IGM, 37 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.