# NTSB CEN17LA306: Piper PA 28-181, N2146R, Denver, CO, July 31, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2017, 11:58 local (17:58 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.571945, -104.848052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5719&lon=-104.8481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95771 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA306 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95771/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95771 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA306 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102807), [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-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that the airplane veered right while landing earlier in the day. During the accident landing, the airplane again veered right when the nosewheel touched down on the runway and then exited the runway into grass. While the pilot was attempting to steer the airplane back onto the runway, it hit a runway sign, which separated the right main landing gear from the airplane. The right wing contacted the ground, and the airplane veered right again and then came to rest in the grass alongside the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2017, at 1158 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N2146R, collided with a runway sign while landing at the Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, Colorado. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Plane Omdahl LLC and was being operated by the Aspen Flying Club. The private pilot was operating the airplane as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual flight rules conditions existed near the accident site at the time of the accident, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight departed from the Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB), Pueblo, Colorado, at 1110.The pilot reported that he departed APA and flew to PUB earlier in the day. Upon touchdown at PUB, the airplane veered to the right, but he was able to keep the airplane on the runway. The pilot stated that during the return flight, the airplane once again veered sharply to the right when the nose landing gear touched down while landing on runway 35R at APA. In the process of steering the airplane back onto the runway, the airplane collided with a runway sign that separated the right main landing gear assembly. The right wing contacted the ground and the airplane veered back to the right coming to rest in the grass alongside the runway. A postaccident examination of the brakes, tires, steering linkages, struts, and torque tubes was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector. The examination did not reveal any mechanical failure or malfunction that would have resulted in the loss of directional control. The passenger was reported to be a child who was not able to reach the rudder pedals. The wind reported at APA just prior to the accident was from 60° at 7 knots. The last maintenance performed on the brake system was on February 28, 2017, when the right brake master cylinder was replaced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2146R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2146R-2018-12-17), registration cancelled 2018-12-17, S/N 28-7990303, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7990303 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 10673 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aspen Flying Club - Registered owner: Plane Omdahl LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, July 8, 2017 - Departed: PUB, Pueblo, CO - Destination: APA, Denver, CO - Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 35R, 10,000 × 100 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 8, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 81 total, 4 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: APA ## 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 20170731010249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170731010249A), Jul 31, 2017: Piper PA-28-181, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. On 07/31/2017 at approximately 1157 MDT, N2146R, a Piper archer ii landed at Centennial Airport, Englewood, CO and received substantial damage to the landing… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95771. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 684 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Maintenance Record (item 3, .PDF, 995 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467500&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Record-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.