# NTSB CEN13LA358: Piper PA-28R-180, N7444J, Durango, CO, June 18, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 2013, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Durango, CO - Coordinates: 37.15139, -107.753608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1514&lon=-107.7536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Salt Lake City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87235/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87235 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA358 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to take off with a tailwind at a high-density altitude, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to maintain the initial climb rate. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, in accordance with operating procedures, he leaned the engine's fuel-air mixture before takeoff to compensate for the high-density altitude (the departure airport had a density altitude of 9,355 feet). During takeoff, the airplane accelerated to 80 mph, lifted off the runway, and climbed to about 100 feet above ground level. The pilot stated that the airplane seemed "sluggish" and that it stopped climbing. The airplane rapidly descended, the pilot made a controlled landing off the departure end of the runway, and the airplane's wings were substantially damaged when they struck several approach lights. Fuel was found on board, and it was not contaminated. The examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An engine ground run was conducted, and the engine developed full power. The runway length was sufficient for a safe take off. The high-density altitude and the tailwind likely contributed to airplane's reduced performance. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 2013, about 1130 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N7444J, sustained substantial damage when it impacted runway lights during a forced landing after takeoff from runway 21 (9,201 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) at the Durango – La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was departing DRO and the destination was Tyler, Texas. The pilot reported that he obtained a weather brief and conducted a walk-around inspection of the airplane before engine start. After engine start, the pilot leaned the air-fuel mixture to compensate for the high density altitude and to get the engine running smoothly. He taxied to the run-up area and he completed the preflight checklist. The magnetos checks were normal. He briefly put in full power and adjusted the mixture to obtain the best rpm setting, and then brought the throttle back to idle. The pilot advanced the throttle to full power during the takeoff from runway 21. The airplane accelerated to 80 mph, lifted off the runway, and climbed to about 100 feet above ground level. The pilot reported that the airplane seemed "sluggish," which he attributed to the high density altitude. The airplane approached the end of the runway and it stopped climbing despite having the power at full throttle and no change to the air-fuel mixture or the propeller pitch. He reported that the oil pressure and fuel pressure were both in the green, but the airspeed and altitude were inadequate to attempt a return to a paved runway. Although there was no evidence that the engine was "missing," the airplane rapidly descended, and the pilot made a controlled landing about 400 yards off the departure end of the runway. Upon touchdown, the pilot pulled the throttle fully aft and applied the brakes. The airplane's wings struck several approach lights which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. The 74-year-old pilot, who was a co-owner of the airplane, held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. He had 617 total flight hours with 325 hours in make and model. He held a third class medical certificate. The airplane was a single-engine Piper PA-28R-180 equipped with a 180 horsepower Lycoming IO-360-B1E engine. The maximum gross weight of the airplane was 2,500 pounds, which at the time of the accident weighed 2,269 pounds. The last annual maintenance inspection of the airplane was conducted on June 1, 2013, with an airframe time of 3,497 hours. The engine had 151 hours since the last overhaul. The 1100 surface weather observation at DRO was: wind 090 degrees at 12 knots; sky clear; visibility 10 miles; temperature 24 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 13 degrees C, altimeter 30.18 inches ofmercury. An examination of the airplane and an engine ground run were conducted at DRO. The examination revealed that the left fuel tank was ruptured during the accident and no fuel remained in the tank. The right main tank was about 3/4 full. Fuel samples from the right main tank and the fuel strainer had no contaminants or water present. The engine control continuity and full travel of all the engine controls were confirmed. The propeller was pulled through by hand and all cylinders exhibited about the same amount of compression. The inside of the mufflers were inspected and no blockage was found. The engine was started, warmed up, and the magneto checks were completed. The idle and idle mixture checks were completed. The engine was run at full power with the boost pump on and off. The full engine power run was completed with the mixture leaned out and also with the mixture at full rich. The propeller was set at take-off (low pitch, high rpm) as well as pulled back to a cruise rpm setting. No discrepancies were found during the engine ground run. The elevation at DRO is 6,685 feet. The calculated density altitude was 9,355 feet. The calculated crosswind component was about 10.4 knots from the left with about a 6.1 knot tailwind component. The performance charts in the Piper Cherokee 'Arrow' Owner's Handbook indicate that the calculated take-off distance at maximum gross weight with a no-wind condition would be about 3,800 feet. The performance charts did not provide the take-off distance for a tailwind condition. The calculated climb performance was about 380 feet per minute. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7444J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7444J-2013-12-27), registration cancelled 2013-12-27, S/N 28R-30791, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-30791 - Airframe hours: 3612 - Engines: LYCOMING I0-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles D and Barbara K Hass and Kristen E Collins - Registered owner: Charles D and Barbara K Hass and Kristen E Collins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2013 - Departed: DRO, Durango, CO - Destination: TYR, Tyler, TX - Airport: DRO, Durango - la Plata County, runway 21, 9,201 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 617 total, 325 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: DRO, 1 nm away ## 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 20130618010809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130618010809A), Jun 18, 2013: Piper PA-28R-180, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. On June 18, 2013 at 1140; N7444J was involved in an accident at the Durango La Plata County Airport (dro). The aircraft had fuel and the pilot reported he… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87235. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 822 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Beegle's Examination Report of N7444J (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Beegle%27s%20Examination%20Report%20of%20N7444J-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Logbook Pages (item 3, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403224&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbook%20Pages-Redacted.PDF - Performance Charts (item 4, .PDF, 628 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Performance%20Charts-Master.PDF - Wind Component Calculator (item 5, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402600&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wind%20Component%20Calculator-Master.PDF - Durango-La Plata County Airport (item 6, .PDF, 224 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Durango-La%20Plata%20County%20Airport-Master.PDF - Accident Site Off the Runway (item 7, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Off%20the%20Runway-Master.PDF - Photo 1. View of the airplane at the accident site. (item 8, .PDF, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20the%20airplane%20at%20the%20accident%20site.-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.