Piper PA 28 accident near Elko, Nevada, September 23, 2015
On September 23, 2015 at about 8:28 pm local time, a 1973 Piper PA 28, registered N56897, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Elko, Nevada (Elko Rgnl 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 pilot's failure to sufficiently lean the engine’s fuel-to-air mixture for the given density altitude, which resulted in reduced engine power output and the airplane’s inability to climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 2015 · about 8:28 pm local time
- Place
- Elko, Nevada · Elko Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28 140, built 1973 · all PA 28s on the register
- Registration
- N56897 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7425060
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot stated that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane would not maintain a positive rate of climb. The pilot reported that he had previously experienced this on hot days, so he continued to make small control corrections in anticipation of the airplane gaining altitude; however, once it reached about 200 ft above ground level, the airplane began to sink. The pilot then decided to retard the throttle and perform a forced landing into a field. The airplane landed hard, resulting in substantial damage. The airplane was operating in a high density altitude environment and at the upper limit of its takeoff performance envelope at the time of the accident. Additionally, the pilot did not lean the engine's fuel mixture control before takeoff as recommended by the engine and airframe manufacturers' operating instructions; therefore, the engine was likely not producing full power, which resulted in the airplane's inability to climb. Further, the engine's spark plugs exhibited carbon fouling signatures consistent with an overly rich fuel-to-air mixture. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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 engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incomplete action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 250 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 15, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,937.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 10, 2015; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 2,937 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: EKO Elko NV at 8:26 pm
- Destination: MAN Nampa ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 3,012 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from KEKO, 1 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.