# NTSB CEN10LA524: Piper PA-46-350P, N4167A, Greeley, CO, August 24, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 24, 2010, 09:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Greeley, CO - Coordinates: 40.437221, -104.633056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4372&lon=-104.6331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 77231 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA524 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77231/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77231 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA524 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot taxied the airplane to a self-service fueling facility where he added 84 gallons of fuel to the 20 gallons already in the tanks. He became distracted and forgot to replace the right fuel tank cap. He departed with the right fuel tank selected, and the auxiliary boost pump on. Approximately 100 feet above the runway, he retracted the landing gear and flaps and the engine lost power. He established a controlled glide back to the runway, but didn't have time to lower the landing gear. The airplane landed with the wheels-up and veered off the right side of the runway. A postaccident examination disclosed the pressure vessel had been compromised. The right fuel tank cap was later found on the taxiway. No fuel stains were noted on the wing. The engine was later functionally tested at various power settings, including full power, and no anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On August 24, 2010, approximately 0940 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N4167A, registered to and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the engine lost power shortly after takeoff and the airplane struck the runway wheels up at the Greeley-Weld County Airport (GXY), Greeley, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board the airplane, was not injured. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Broomfield (BJC), Colorado. According to the pilot's accident report, the airplane had been involved in a previous accident. After repairs were made, the pilot taxied the airplane to a self-service fueling facility where he added 84 gallons of fuel to the 20 gallons already in the tanks. He said he became distracted and forgot to replace the right tank fuel cap. The pilot took off from runway 16, He said he had selected the right fuel tank and the required auxiliary boost pump was on. Approximately 100 feet above the runway, he retracted the landing gear and flaps and the engine lost power. The pilot established a controlled glide back to the runway, but didn't have time to lower the landing gear. The airplane landed wheels-up and skidded off the right side of the runway. Post-accident examination disclosed the pressure vessel had been compromised and could not be pressurized. The right tank fuel cap was later found on the taxiway. No fuel stains were noted on the wing. On September 2, 2010, the engine was functionally tested at Beegles Aircraft Service in Greeley, Colorado. Various power settings, including full power, were employed. No anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4167A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4167A), registered now, S/N 46-36254, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-350P - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (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: 46-36254 - Airframe hours: 1049 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Williams Mirage LLC - Registered owner: Williams Mirage LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2009, 10 hours before - Departed: GXY, Greeley, CO - Destination: BJC, Broomfield, CO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KGXY, Greeley-Weld County, runway 16, 10,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,495 total, 943 in this make and model, 3,298 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.51 inHg - Observed at: GXY ## 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 20100824044449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100824044449A), Aug 24, 2010: Piper PA 46-350P, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. On August 24, 2010 aircraft N4167A made a gear up landing at at Greeley Weld county airport, kgxy. The aircraft recieved substanial damage. The pilot, the sole… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77231. 154 KB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.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.