NTSB Factual Report

On February 19, 2018, about 1130 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-34-200T airplane, N14GQ, collided with the ground northwest of the Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV), Minden, Nevada. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to the Stunad, LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Meadows Field Airport (BFL), Bakersfield, California, about 0900 with an intended destination of MEV.

A witness, who was located outside her residence, about 2 miles north of the accident site, reported that she heard a loud noise that sounded like a sonic boom. She looked up and saw an airplane descending, while trailing smoke. The witness further stated she never saw any flames.

Review of preliminary radar data revealed a primary target, consistent with the accident airplane, was traveling on a northeast heading over the Sierra Mountain range, south of Lake Tahoe at an altitude between 14,100 and 14,500 ft mean sea level (msl). The target continued on a northeast heading until it was northwest of the accident site, where it proceded to make a wide right turn towards MEV. Shortly after, the track continued south and appeared to enter a descending spiraling pattern until the radar contact was lost with the target.

Initial examination of the airplane by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), revealed that the airplane impacted the ground in an inverted, wings level, slightly nose down attitude. There was no debris located within the vicinity of the main wreckage. The nose cone assembly, empennage, right wing outboard full-span-flap assembly, and left outboard wing section were not located with the main wreckage. A debris field was located about .5 miles south of the main wreckage, and contained the separated airplane parts. The debris field was about 800 feet wide by 3,100 feet in length.

The nearest weather reporting station was MEV, about 4 miles south of the accident site. According to recorded information at 1115, the winds were 350o at 15 knots, gusting to 29 knots, visibility 10 statute miles or greater, sky clear, temperature -2° C, dew point -13° C, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches of mercury. Satellite imagery 30 minutes prior to the accident revealed extensive cloud coverage over the region but also significant breaks in the cloud cover where the ground can be seen. A pilot reported about 30 minutes after the accident, about 10 miles east of the accident site, clouds between 9,500 and 13,000 ft msl.

The wreckage was relocated to a secure facility for further examination.