# NTSB CEN09CA465: Piper PA32R, N301RT, Colorado Springs, CO, July 23, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2009, 12:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Colorado Springs, CO - Coordinates: 38.805557, -104.700553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8056&lon=-104.7006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74377 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA465 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74377/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74377 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA465 ## Probable cause The pilot's low altitude encounter with windshear during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the tower controller cautioned for wind shear and then cleared the flight to depart. The pilot delayed momentarily to assess the wind conditions and then departed. The airplane climbed to 75 feet, and then began to lose altitude as if the airplane was "being pushed down." The pilot applied corrective measures but was unable to arrest the descent. The airplane impacted the runway resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The automated special weather observation report, issued shortly after the time of the accident, reported winds variable from 100 degrees to 160 degrees at 7 knots with light rain. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the tower controller cautioned for wind shear and then cleared the flight to depart. The pilot delayed momentarily to assess the wind conditions and then departed. The airplane climbed to 75 feet, and then began to lose altitude as if the airplane was "being pushed down." The pilot applied corrective measures but was unable to arrest the descent. The airplane impacted the runway resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The automated special weather observation report, issued shortly after the time of the accident, reported winds variable from 100 degrees to 160 degrees at 7 knots with light rain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N301RT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N301RT), registered now, S/N 32R-8229068, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R (301T) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8229068 - Airframe hours: 2770 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dean Sather - Registered owner: Dean Sather - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2009 - Departed: KCOS, Colorado Springs, CO - Destination: Amarillo, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KCOS, Colorado Springs Municipal, runway 17R, 11,022 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 31, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 930 total, 355 in this make and model, 848 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KCOS ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090723012799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090723012799A), Jul 23, 2009: Piper PA32R301T, Colorado Sprin, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On Thursday July 23, [privacy data omitted] in N301RT, a Piper PA-32R-301T, attempted to depart cos on 17R. After receiving weather warnings of turbulent… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 26, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74377. 668 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 668 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.