2 fatal · Piper PA 14 · 2020-08-15 · Susanville, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
WPR20LA270
Event ID
20200815X84754
Type
Accident
Date
2020-08-15
Location
Susanville, CA, USA
Coordinates
40.376667, -120.57305
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
PA 14
Registration
N91449
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to conduct a steep departure at a high-density altitude and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a climb, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the installation of a high pitch angle propeller that was not designed for the installed engine which likely degraded the airplane’s performance.