# NTSB DEN03FA028: Piper PA-32-300, N7989C, Steamboat Spgs, CO, December 29, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 29, 2002, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Steamboat Spgs, CO - Coordinates: 40.33472, -106.688888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3347&lon=-106.6889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Lycoming Engines, FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03FA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56269/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA028 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making resulting in insufficient altitude to fly over the mountain, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into tree covered mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the tail wind and high density altitude weather conditions, the airplane's aft center of gravity condition exceeding limitations, and the improper use of the airplane by the pilot [STC limitation to haul parachutist only; two passengers flying without seats]. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - maintenance,major alteration - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command - fuselage,seat - not installed (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot departed with three passengers and three dogs, but only two seats. The airplane had been reconfigured (STC SA00352DE) for parachute jumping operations. The STC included the stipulation that the airplane could be used only for parachutist launching operations. Also, Title 14 CFR Part 91.107, (a)(3), states that each occupant of a civil aircraft must be provided with an approved seat [the fatally injured passenger was not] with seat belt, for movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing operations. The pilot proceeded to fly up a heavily forested mountain valley with a 14 to 18 knot tail wind (increasing ground speed while reducing climb performance). The airplane's center of gravity was calculated to be 2.33 inches aft of allowable limitations. Due to insufficient altitude, the airplane impacted tree covered terrain with approximately 4 feet of snow at 9,527 feet (10,200 feet density altitude). One occupant was trapped under aircraft debris for 4 to 5 hours; she died shortly after reaching the hospital. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 29, 2002, at approximately 1300 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N7989C, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The commercial pilot and one passenger were seriously injured, another passenger received minor injuries; however, one passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal, cross-country flight that originated from Bob Adams Field (SBS) Steamboat Springs, Colorado, approximately 20 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed, but the pilot said he was en route to Canon City, Colorado. The pilot said he had flown his three passengers and three dogs from Canon City, to Steamboat Springs, for Christmas celebrations. He said that on Thursday, December 26, he departed Steamboat Springs, on a solo flight back to Canon City, to fly parachutists up for jumps. He said that he flew the same departure path up Harrison Creek to cross Rabbit Ears Pass (elevation 10,007 feet). This flight was uneventful. On Saturday, he returned to Steamboat Springs to fly his passengers and dogs back to Canon City on the following day. The pilot said he departed Steamboat Springs, at approximately 1230, on runway 32. He said that he headed south towards Rabbit Ears Pass, and was climbing to approximately 10,700 feet. He said that while flying up Harrison Creek, he encountered a "wind sheer or downdrafts," and the airplane would not clear the mountainous terrain. The pilot said he "decided to put the aircraft down in terrain with trees." At 1304, a "9-1-1" call was made to the Routt County Sheriff’s dispatch office by one of the passengers, reporting that the airplane had gone down. Search and rescue efforts were initiated, and the airplane was located at 1612 by two helicopters. Rescue workers arrived at the scene at 1700, and the pilot and three passengers were transported out by snowmobiles. The three dogs were rescued on the following day, December 30th, 2002. A pilot at Steamboat Springs airport observed an airplane, matching the description of the accident airplane, depart at approximately 1245. He stated it looked "slow with a low angle of attack. It appeared to be laboring, and turned west and downwind with very shallow turns." He said "It just didn't look right. It appeared to be having difficulty climbing." Another witness, located in the valley approximately 2 miles west of the Harrison Creek mouth, said she heard a "loud airplane, which sounded like an 18 wheel truck using its Jake brake" flying low towards Harrison Creek. She said that it was between 1230 and 1300. The fatally injured passenger had been trapped under debris of the airplane until the rescue team could cut her out. She died shortly after reaching the hospital in Steamboat Springs. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument ratings. He also holds a basic ground instructor certificate, a mechanic's certificate with airframe and power plant ratings, and a senior parachute rigger's (back pack) certificate. He had accumulated 3,500 total hours of flight experience; 600 hours in make and model. The pilot also stated he had 6 hours of flight time in the airplane within the preceding 24 hours. The pilot received a second-class FAA medical certificate on October 10, 2001. The certificate required that the holder wear lenses for distant vision and possess glasses for near vision. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane (S/N 32-7640051) was a single engine, propeller-driven, fixed landing gear, two seat airplane (normally a 6-place airplane, but 4 seats had been removed to allow parachute operations). It was manufactured by Piper Aircraft Company in 1975. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540, six cylinder, reciprocating, horizontally opposed, direct drive, air cooled, fuel injected engine, which had a maximum takeoff rating of 300 horsepower at sea level. The last annual inspection was performed on April 10, 2002. At the time of the accident, the aircraft maintenance records and tachometer indicated that the airframe had accumulated approximately 8,597 hours. The airplane's current registration, in the pilot's name, was dated February 25, 1997. On July 17, 1998, a Supplemental Type Certificate was issued for the "installation of a bolt-on departure bar assembly, handrail assembly and step assembly. This installation was approved for use in parachute jumping operations only." The most recent weight and balance measurement for the airplane was performed on January 19, 1999. "The airplane was in parachute jumper airlift configuration. Alteration was in accord with STC SA00352DE." The parachute jumper configuration involved removing the rear passenger seats and cargo door. In place of these seats was a piece of plywood with holes cutout for the seatbelts (this is where the fatally injured passenger was sitting). The airplane's manufacturer representative said that the service ceiling of this aircraft was 16,250 feet. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1255, weather conditions at Hayden, Colorado (elevation 6,602 feet), 280 degrees 23 nautical miles (nm) from the accident site, were as follows: wind 270 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 statue miles (or greater); sky condition, clear; temperature 36 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 18 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter setting 29.69 inches. According to search and rescue pilots flying Enstrom 280C piston powered helicopters in the area of the accident, there were "no unusual sinks or down drafts," and no turbulence was reported. A landowner, standing in front of her barn (approximately 6 nm west of the accident site at the mouth of Harrison Creek), said there was a "bit of a breeze directly out of the west." She estimated the wind to be approximately 14 to 18 knots. The density altitude at the accident site (elevation 9,527 feet) was estimated to be 10,200 feet. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was found in a heavily forested, steep mountainous valley (elevation 9,527 feet; N40 degrees, 20.08 minutes; W106 degrees, 41.33 minutes). The conifer trees were up to approximately 18 inches in diameter and up to approximately 75 feet in height. An approximate 150 foot long debris path (tree branches and aircraft parts) was oriented approximately 140 degrees (the Harrison Creek had a 085-265 degree orientation). The summit of Rabbit Ears Pass was 4 nm from the accident site, on a 010 degrees heading. To the north (340 degrees; 1 nm) of the accident site was Walton Peak, elevation 10,599 feet. The fuselage was found nearly upright (approximately 35 degrees right rotation), with both wings, and most of its horizontal stabilizer and elevator separated. All of the airplane's major components were accounted for at the accident site. All the flight control surfaces were identified; flight control cable continuity was not possible due to impact damage. The left wing was found inverted in trees, approximately 25 feet above the ground. The wing spar's longitudinal axis was nearly level, and the leading edge was sloping approximately 35 degrees down. At approximately the midsection of the wing, a tree (approximately 12 inches in diameter) was imbedded in the wing. This impact arc extended from the leading edge aft to the main spar area. The main fuel tank was fractured, and the main landing gear was partially separated. The inverted left wing was found on the right side of the airplane's impact energy path. The right wing was separated from the fuselage and broken into several pieces. The section forward of its main wing spar was separated. The fuel tank was fractured. The empennage displayed substantial impact damage, and only the vertical stabilizer and its rudder remained ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7989C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7989C-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 32-7640051, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7640051 - Airframe hours: 8348.8 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2002 - Departed: SBS, Steamboat Spgs, CO - Destination: 1V6, Canon City, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: HDN, 27 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 20021229034999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021229034999A), Dec 29, 2002: Piper PA32300, Steamboatspring, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) The aircraft departed the steamboat springs (sbs) Colorado airport at approximately 1240MST on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight to canyon city,… ## Other investigations on N7989C (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 ANC82DA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA080), Aug 26, 1982: Piper PA-32 (N7989C), Near Dillingham, AK, 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.