# Accident 20021229034999A: Piper PA32300, Steamboatspring, CO, December 29, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 29, 2002, 13:00 local time
- Place: Steamboatspring, CO
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.3347° N, 106.6889° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3347&lon=-106.6889&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7989C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7989C-2014-11-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-300 (registry code 7103212, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32300
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN03FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA028) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021229034999A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE STEAMBOAT SPRINGS (SBS) COLORADO AIRPORT AT APPROXIMATELY 1240MST ON A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) FLIGHT TO CANYON CITY, COLORADO. AT APPROXIMATELY 1300MST, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEMOLISHED AFTER IMPACT WITH TERRAIN AT 9,561 FEET MSL, SOUTHEAST OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN03FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA028), Dec 29, 2002: Piper PA-32-300 (N7989C), Steamboat Spgs, CO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making resulting in insufficient altitude to fly over the mountain, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into tree covered mountainous terrain.…

## Other reports on N7989C (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19880702051599I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880702051599I), Jul 2, 1988: Piper PA32300 (N7989C), Dillingham, AK, Minor damage. Crashed while attempting to land on beach. Gear hit rock and collapsed.
- [Accident 19820825043049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820825043049A), Aug 25, 1982: Piper PA32300 (N7989C), Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Liftoff was near departure end of runway. Wheels struck bushes. Airplanes wheels dug into tundra. Full load.
- [Incident 19780713043879I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780713043879I), Jul 13, 1978: Piper PA32300 (N7989C), Peterson Point, AK, Minor damage. Pilot intentionally ground looped after landing on muddy runway, to avoid overshoot.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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