Stall / Spin · NTSB WPR10FA239
PIPER PA-24-250 — Redmond, OR
| Date | May 14, 2010 |
| Location | Redmond, OR |
| Aircraft | PIPER PA-24-250 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Initial climb Aerodynamic stall/spin |
| Pilot age | 87 |
| Pilot total time | 10,000 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
What happened
A witness who was located in a vehicle adjacent to the accident site reported that while conducting a routine daily runway inspection, he observed the airplane in a near vertical attitude above the departure end of the active runway. The witness estimated that the airplane was about 100 to 200 feet above the ground when it performed a 360-degree roll and stalled. It then entered a nose-low attitude, made another 360-degree roll, and descended below a tree line. Another witness reported that he observed the airplane depart the active runway and initiate a normal climb. As the airplane reached the departure end of the runway it entered an abrupt climb at an approximate 90-degree angle. The witness further stated that the airplane climbed for approximately 200 feet, nosed over, and descended into the ground. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no pre impact mechanical malfunctions. Toxicology tests of post-mortem samples from the pilot detected Amlodipine, a prescription medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure. The medication typically does not have any adverse effects, and is routinely approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.