# NTSB CEN11CA678: Piper PA-28-180, N9430J, Buena Vista, CO, September 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2011, 18:15 local (Sep 6, 2011, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Buena Vista, CO - Coordinates: 38.81361, -106.123336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8136&lon=-106.1233&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA678 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81948/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81948 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA678 ## Probable cause The airplane’s diminished climb performance due to the pilot not leaning the engine mixture enough prior to takeoff in high density altitude conditions and at nearly maximum gross takeoff weight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane took off at a little over 60 knots. He stated that, just after liftoff, the airplane was initially sluggish to climb, so he lowered the nose to gain more speed in ground effect (to about 70 knots). The airplane started to gain some altitude, so the pilot continued the departure. He stated that, shortly after clearing the end of the runway, there was a loss of power and climb performance. With trees and houses ahead and insufficient altitude to clear them, the pilot decided to land in a field with deep grass just north of the airport. Upon landing in the field, the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the front of the fuselage. After the accident, the pilot reported that he believed that he may not have leaned the engine enough during run-up, resulting in less than 100 percent available power to climb. He also reported that the spark plugs may have been fouled due to the mixture setting, resulting in the loss of available power immediately after takeoff. The pilot stated that the airplane was loaded to within 65 pounds of its maximum gross weight and with a calculated density altitude of 10,400 feet, the anticipated climb rate of 300 feet per minute required full power as outlined in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. He stated that, if there were not deep grass in the landing field, he could have landed the airplane without incident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he rolled down the runway for takeoff a little over 60 knots. He stated that just after liftoff, the airplane was initially sluggish to climb so he lowered the nose to gain more speed in ground effect (about 70 knots). The airplane started to gain some altitude, so the pilot continued his departure. Shortly after clearing the end of the runway, there was a loss of power and climb performance. With trees and houses ahead and insufficient altitude to clear them, the pilot decided to land in a field with deep grass just north of the airport. Upon landing in the field the nose landing gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the front of the fuselage. The pilot and both passengers exited the airplane without significant injuries. After the accident the pilot said he believed that he may not have leaned the engine enough during run up resulting in less than 100 percent available power for the climbout. He also reported that the spark plugs may have been fowled due to the mixture setting resulting in the loss of available power immediately after takeoff. The pilot stated that the airplane was loaded to within 65 pounds of its maximum gross weight and with a calculated density altitude of 10,400 feet, the anticipated climb rate of 300 feet per minute required full power as outlined in the Pilot Operating Handbook. He stated that if there was not deep grass in the landing field, he could have landed the airplane without incident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9430J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9430J-2013-03-20), registration cancelled 2013-03-20, S/N 28-3541, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3541 - Airframe hours: 4324 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Valentine David L - Registered owner: Valentine David L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 2010 - Departed: AEJ, Buena Vista, CO - Destination: Buena Vista, CO - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 73 in this make and model, 41 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: AEJ ## 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 20110905020899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110905020899A), Sep 5, 2011: Piper PA-28-180, Buena Vista, CO, Substantial damage. On September 05, 2011, at approximately 1815 MDT, a Piper PA-28-180, N9430J, sustained substantial damage while conducting an unscheduled landing near the… ## Other investigations on N9430J (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 NYC73DNC13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DNC13), Jul 18, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N9430J), Monticello, ME, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81948. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361401&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.