# Accident 20070105000459A: Piper PA34200T, Manzanola, CO, January 5, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 5, 2007, 06:50 local time
- Place: Manzanola, CO
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.9178° N, 103.8850° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9178&lon=-103.8850&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8231D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8231D-2015-05-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-34-200T (registry code 7103406, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-360 series (registry code 17019, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA34200T
- Reported engine: CONT TSIO360*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 250 total, 100 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN07FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA045) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070105000459A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED PUEBLO MEMORIAL AIRPORT (KPUB) FOR TYLER, TEXAS IN A SENACA (PA-34-200T - N8231D) AT APPROXIMATELY 0639 MST ON JANUARY 05, 2007 WITH THE TOWER REPORTING 2000 OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 10 MILES AND CALM WINDS. PUB DEPARTURE CONTROL PROVIDED "FLIGHT FOLLOWING" TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES SOUTHEAST WHEN HE WAS CLEARED OFF FREQUENCY WITH A CODE 1200 SQUAWK (VFR). DENVER CENTER (NO RADIO CONTACT) SUBSEQUENTLY TRACKED HIM FOR ANOTHER 6-7 MINUTES WITH ERRATIC ALTITUDE AND HEADING CHANGES JUST BEFORE HE DISAPPEARED FROM THEIR RADAR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED MISSING WHEN HE FAILED TO ARRIVE IN TYLER, TX LATER THAT DAY. THE CRASH SITE WAS SPOTTED AND REACHED THE MORNING OF JANUARY 06, 2007 WITH NO SURVIVORS (1 FATAL) AND THE AIRPLANE COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE IMPACT AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE.

## 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 DEN07FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA045), Jan 5, 2007: Piper PA-34-200T (N8231D), Manzanola, CO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in the subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing factors…

## Other reports on N8231D (2)

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

- [Accident 19870530017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870530017699A), May 30, 1987: Piper PA34200T (N8231D), Plymouth, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft was damaged on a porpoised landing. Pilot was distracted by a report of a deer on the runway.
- [Incident 19861123060129I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861123060129I), Nov 23, 1986: Piper PA34200T (N8231D), Broomfield, CO, Minor damage. Pilot failed to check wheels down before landing. Pilot was flying with an inadequately charged battery.

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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