Event SEA96LA163

Factual narrative

On July 23, 1996, approximately 1415 Pacific Daylight time, a Cessna 152, N49794, operated by Apple Valley Air in Omak, WA, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees near Stehekin State Airport near Stehekin, WA. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The 14 CFR 91 personal flight was on takeoff from Stehekin to Omak, Washington when the aircraft hit trees. During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that he seemed to have good speed on the takeoff roll. However, by the time he was over the trees at the end of the runway, he said that the stall warning buzzer was sounding and he could not clear the trees. In the pilot's accident report he stated that "Power stall on takeoff, hit tops of trees at 40 knots, flash engine fire immediately, plane then fell approx 30ft." The Stehekin State Airport is at 1230 feet MSL. Weather at the time was reported by the pilot to be 85 degrees with a pressure reading of 30.00. Under these conditions the density altitude was about 3080 ft. The operator estimated the fuel on board at takeoff was about 19 to 21 gallons. While departing from a dirt runway in mountainous terrain, the airplane hit trees at the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane seemed to have good speed on the takeoff roll; however, by the time he was over the trees at the end of the runway, the stall warning buzzer was sounding. The pilot said he could not get the airplane to clear the trees. The airport elevation was 1230 feet msl. Weather at the time was reported by the pilot to be 85 degrees with a pressure reading of 30.00. Under these conditions, the density altitude was about 3080 ft. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12