Piper PA-24 accident near Prescott, Arizona, August 17, 2009
On August 17, 2009 at about 9:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-24, registered N6304P, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Prescott, Arizona (Ernest A. Love Field Airport). It was a personal 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 an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to return to the runway at a high density altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 17, 2009 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Prescott, Arizona · Ernest A. Love Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24 · all PA-24s on the register
- Registration
- N6304P · no longer on the register · serial 24-1414
- 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 after takeoff, the pilot told the air traffic controller that he needed to return to the airport but did not say what the issue was. The controller approved the pilot’s request; there were no further communications. Several witnesses at different locations around the accident area reported watching the airplane flying slowly, low above the runway, in a relatively steep nose-up pitch attitude before making a left turn that increased in bank angle before the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. A postcrash fire largely consumed the airplane; however, postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be about 7,900 feet. High density altitude adversely affects airplane climb performance and requires pilot vigilance to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff and climb.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 750 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,480 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 13, 2009
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: PRC Prescott AZ at 9:50 pm
- Destination: Unknown
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21L, 7,616 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 9 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from PRC
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.