Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Eagar, Arizona, June 11, 2010
On June 11, 2010 at about 8:54 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-300, registered N7699F, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Eagar, Arizona (Springervillemunicipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's operation of the aircraft outside of the manufacturer’s specified performance limitations, which resulted in the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from buildings and terrain during takeoff initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2010 · about 8:54 pm local time
- Place
- Eagar, Arizona · Springervillemunicipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300 · all PA-32R-300s on the register
- Registration
- N7699F · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7780081
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness at the airport observed the accident airplane depart runway 11. During the departure sequence, the witness observed the airplane use more runway than most of the other small aircraft and that the airplane seemed to have trouble gaining altitude. The witness stated that the airplane gained and lost altitude about three or four times before banking to the left and impacting a building. Numerous witnesses located near the accident site observed the accident airplane flying at a low altitude before impacting a building, and that the engine appeared to be running strong. The wreckage was located within a building structure and was heavily damaged by fire. Examination of the accident site and aircraft wreckage revealed signatures consistent with a near-level, left-wing-low impact with a tree and a light pole prior to impacting the building. Examination of the airplane, flight control systems, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The investigation determined that, at the time of the accident, the airplane was within weight and balance limitations. Weather at the departure airport equated to a crosswind component for runway 11 varying from 25 to 32 knots, with a tailwind component from 4 to 5 knots, based on the sustained wind and gust values respectively. About 1 minute after the time of the accident, the reported wind equated to crosswind component of 21 to 27 knots, and a headwind of 12 to 16 knots. The airport density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 9,700 feet. Review of airplane manufacturer’s takeoff performance charts revealed that, at the time of the accident, the weather and environment conditions exceeded the takeoff performance chart limitations.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Takeoff distance › Related operating info
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,159 hours in all; 35 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,389 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 10, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: D68 Eagar AZ at 8:54 pm
- Destination: GCN Grand Canyon AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 4,589 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 24 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,500 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from D68, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.