I don't have any information on when or why this Piper Tri-Pacer N7621D crashed in the Spring Mountains, Nevada. I learned about this site when I came across crash site photos posted on Mike McComb's web site. Mike along with Craig Fuller and Doug Scroggins spotted the wreckage from the air while searching the area for the crash site of the Beechcraft AT-11 #42-36873. They later visited the site to find that it was a Piper Tri-Pacer.

Crash site photo taken shortly after the accident. I was able to match the surrounding terrain with the photo. (Photo courtesy of Scroggins Aviation).

Another view. These photos are how the plane's registration number, N7621D was attained (Photo courtesy of Scroggins Aviation).

Two of the four wild horses I saw on the way to my camp spot. Earlier in the day I was at Lake Mead checking out the crash site of a F-86E Sabre. I'll be camping in the area tonight and doing the hike to the Tri-Placer in the morning.

On the hike. Most of the hike was fairly easy until I got to this rock outcropping on the ridge that I was following. Ended up going down and around it, didn't want to deal with climbing over it.

This is the first piece of wreckage I came upon. It's the door from the baggage compartment.

The other side of the door. It's marked with MAX BAGGAGE 100 LBS. This was a little clue on the crash date. The accident had to happen on or after 1955 because the earlier model Tri-Pacers were limited to 50 lbs of baggage. Figure that it crashed between 1955 and 1962.

A little farther I found one of the four wing struts.

Nearby was the remains of the Tri-Pacer. I was able to match up the rocks on the right with the old crash site photo. The plane has fallen over onto its back

Looking up at the bottom side of the left wing.

Another view of the same wing. On the right is one of the fuel tanks that was mounted in the wing.

Found the wing structure interesting. I never seen this type construction before.

Was surprised to see just how light weight the structure was. The wire bracing can be seen.

The wing tip, with landing and navigation lights.

Closer view of the landing lights.

The navigation light.

The wing tip bow was made from wood.

One of the mounts for the wooden wing tip bow.

Looking down towards the fuselage.

Closer view of the inverted fuselage. That big rock is in the same place that it was when Mike and the other guys were here fifteen years ago.

Another view of the fuel tank.

Front view of the fuselage.

The tricycle landing gear that gave the Tri-Pacer its name. The main gear on the right is badly damaged. Piper had another model called the Pacer which was a taildragger.

Better view of the nose gear and damaged main gear.

Below the nose gear was the heel end of a shoe wedged in the wreckage. Must have belonged to the pilot or passenger if there was one. Don't have any information about the accident, but by the looks of the wreckage, it wasn't survivable.

One of the cabin doors.

Looking into the cabin from the rear. The battery can be seen with the orange caps.

Closer view of the battery.

Piece of one of the seat belts.

Attachment points of the wing struts on the fuselage frame, one of them has broken off.

Looking down the fuselage towards the tail. The opening is for the door to the baggage compartment. Part of the hinge and the fitting for the door latch can be seen.

Tail end of the fuselage frame. Some of this tubing is the remains of the fin and stabilizer.

The counter balance from one of the elevators. Its outlined with remains of the white fabric covering.

View from the tail showing some of the pieces of wreckage scattered near the main wreckage.

A piece from the engine cowling. The opening on the right is one of the cooling air intakes and on the left part of the opening for the prop spinner.

Another piece from the engine cowling, a hinge and latch can be seen.

One last piece of cowling, the word PIPER is on this piece.

Some of the controls from the instrument panel. The lettering CARBURETOR HEAT can be seen on the left.

The other side of the same piece shows the brake lever with the black knob.

Armrest attached to a piece from the fuselage frame.

When I first saw this, thought that it was the rudder, but taking a closer look, could see that it's one of the elevators.

Counter balance on the elevator.

Control horn on the elevator.

This looks like it might be part of the spinner, but I'm not sure.

One of the seats.

Engine air filter.

The muffler.

Looking down the right wing from the fuselage.