Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while making a steep right turn. A contributing factor was the insufficient altitude needed to make a recovery.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was out checking crops on private land. He reported that he made a right turn too steep and stalled the airplane. He did not have sufficient altitude to recover.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 4, 1995, at 1900 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 11, N70613, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain in Badger, South Dakota. The pilot, who was seriously injured, was maneuvering the airplane in a steep turn when the airplane stalled. The passenger was also seriously injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed a private airstrip in Badger, South Dakota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was out checking crops on private land. He reported that he made a right turn too steep and stalled the airplane. He did not have sufficient altitude to recover. The pilot also reported that he did not have a current biennial flight review. -