# NTSB DEN01LA083: Piper PA-24-250, N7736P, Telluride, CO, April 8, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 2001 - Place: Telluride, CO - Coordinates: 37.940235, -107.899559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9402&lon=-107.8996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA083 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during initial climb. Factors include the gusty wind and high density altitude conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis After takeoff, the pilot retracted the landing gear at about 50 feet above the ground and began his initial climb. A gust of wind struck the airplane, and it descended and struck the runway with the landing gear in the retracted position. At the time of the accident, the winds were from 230 degrees at 9 knots. The two previous weather readings indicated that the winds were variable. At 1352, the winds were 170 to 240 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 21 knots. At 1411, the winds were 150 to 250 degrees at 8 knots. The airfield elevation is 9,070 feet MSL. The altimeter setting was 29.91, and temperature was 1 degree Celcius/33.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Density altitude was 9,551 feet MSL. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2001, at approximately 1515 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N7736P, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during initial climb following takeoff from Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colorado. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for this personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, after takeoff, he retracted the landing gear at about 50 feet above the ground and began his initial climb. A gust of wind struck the airplane, forcing it to descend and strike the runway with the landing gear in the retracted position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage skin, the bulkheads between the wing roots, and both inboard flap hinges. At the time of the accident, the winds were from 230 degrees at 9 knots. The two previous weather readings indicated that the winds were variable. At 1352, the winds were 170 to 240 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 21 knots. At 1411, the winds were 150 to 250 degrees at 8 knots. The airfield elevation is 9,070 feet MSL. The altimeter setting was 29.91, and temperature was 1 degree Celcius/33.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Density altitude was 9,551 feet MSL. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7736P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7736P), registered now, S/N 24-2950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 242950 - Airframe hours: 4320 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 AID5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Ciardullo - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2001, 2 hours before - Departed: TEX, Telluride, CO - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: TEX, Telluride Regional, runway 27, 6,870 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 19, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 350 in this make and model, 468 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 50 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KTEX ## 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 20010408006469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010408006469A), Apr 8, 2001: Piper PA24250, Telluride, CO, No damage. (-23) A/c rotated normally. Pilot retracted gear at approx. 50-75 feet to increase forward speed. Pilot then suddenly encountered a strong down draft forcing… ## Other investigations on N7736P (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 OAK67D0155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0155), Nov 9, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N7736P), Resno, CA, substantial damage 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.