# NTSB DEN00LA122: Rowley P-40F, N42915, Peyton, CO, July 3, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2000, 19:35 local (Jul 3, 2000, 01:35 UTC) - Place: Peyton, CO - Coordinates: 39.029571, -104.479682 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0296&lon=-104.4797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49603 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49603/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA122 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate decision to turn back (low altitude) towards the runway for a forced landing. A contributing factor was the total loss of engine power due to a reduction gear failure. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - reduction gear assy,reduction gear - failure (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis The pilot was performing a low fly-by over runway 33, and as the airplane reached the departure end, the engine lost power. Witnesses said that the pilot made a left turn back towards runway 15. Subsequently the airplane hit wires, impacted terrain, cart wheeled, came to rest against a transmission pole, and burned. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the gear reduction assembly had failed. The pilot had designed and built the airplane in 1986. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2000, approximately 1935 mountain daylight time, a Rowley P-40F experimental amateur-built (one of a kind) airplane, N42915, was destroyed following impact with terrain during a forced landing at Meadow Lake Airport, Peyton, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard the airplane, was fatally injured. He died on July 4, 2000. The pilot designed, built, and operated the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local flight that originated from Meadow Lake Airport at an unknown time. No flight plan had been filed. Witnesses said that the pilot was performing a low fly-by over runway 33, and as the airplane reached the departure end, the engine became quiet. They said that the pilot made a left turn back towards runway 15. Subsequently the airplane hit wires, impacted terrain, cart wheeled, and came to rest against a transmission pole. The pilot designed and built the airplane in 1986. The pilot modified the airframe and replaced the engine at some unknown time. Friends and mechanics at the airport said that the pilot worked on the airplane regularly. The airplane was powered by an AMW Cuyuna 808L-100, three cylinder, reed valve, fuel injected, water-cooled, two cycle engine which had a maximum takeoff rating of 100 horsepower at sea level. During maximum power output, it produced 8,000 to 9,000 RPM, this required a gear reduction system for normal propeller operation. Postaccident examination of the engine and its reduction gear assembly by a mechanic revealed that the gear reduction system had failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42915](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42915-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 001, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rowley P-40F - Registry model: [Rowley Richard J P40F WARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/rowley-richard-j-p40f-warhawk) (registry code 0566449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0001 - Airframe hours: 504 - Engines: Cuyuna 808L-100 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard J. Rowley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2000, 1 hours before - Departed: 00V - Airport: 00V, Meadow Lake Airport, runway 15, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,550 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 171 °F, dew point 115 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: COS, 10 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 20000702009949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000702009949A), Jul 2, 2000: Amtr P40FWARHAWK, Colorado Spring, CO, No damage, 1 fatal. (-23) Pilot rowley was reportedly performing a low fly-by over runway 33 at Meadow Lake Airport. Over the departure end of the runway, the engine quit rowley… 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.