# NTSB DEN03LA048: Piper PA-12, N78559, Buena Vista, CO, March 11, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 2003, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 38.814167, -106.120834
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8142&lon=-106.1208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA048

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.  Contributing factors were the crosswind weather condition and gusty wind condition.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

A witness said the airplane was departing on runway 15, and exited the left side of the runway and subsequently descended a steep 100 foot embankment resulting in damage to the left wing and fuselage.  The pilot said that a "gust of wind hit me just as I was lifting off."  The local meteorologist said that the wind was 210 to 270 degrees at 15 knots and gusts to 21 knots..

## Factual narrative

On March 11, 2003, at approximately 1200 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-12, N78559, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Central Colorado Regional Airport, Buena Vista, Colorado.  The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured.  The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that was originating at the time of the accident.  The pilot had not filed a flight plan.

A witness said the airplane was departing on runway 15, and exited the left side of the runway and went down a steep 100 foot embankment.  The pilot said that a "gust of wind hit me just as I was lifting off."  The local meteorologist said that the wind was 210 to 270 degrees 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots.  The airplane's left wing was bent down, and the fuselage was bent and twisted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78559](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78559), registered now, S/N 12-3934 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: N78559
- Airframe hours: 1449
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John M. Cogswell
- Registered owner: Open a Flying Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 2002, 5 hours before
- Departed: 7V1, BUENA VISTA, CO
- Destination: APA, DENVER, CO
- Airport: 7V1, BUENA VISTA MUNI Arpt, runway 15, 8,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 2, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 491 total, 358 in this make and model, 355 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: LXV, 32 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 20030311003649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030311003649A), Mar 11, 2003: Piper PA12, Buena Vista, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated he was aware of the strong cross wind condition that existed prior to beginning his takeoff. He said he held short of runway 15 and…

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.

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