# NTSB DEN03LA108: Piper PA 28-180, N2537R, Green River, UT, June 19, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 2003, 19:05 local (Jun 19, 2003, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Green River, UT
- Coordinates: 39.020278, -110.45111
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0203&lon=-110.4511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Salt Lake City FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA108

## Probable cause

pilot's improper preflight planning and failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors include improper short field takeoff procedures and the high vegetation at the end of the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - short field takeoff/procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the airplane was departing to the west. The pilot stated that he had "failed to leave enough [room] to get proper airspeed" to clear the brush at the west end of the runway. The airplane impacted the brush. During the impact, the right wing separated from the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On June 18, 2003, at approximately 1905 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA 28-180, N2537R, was substantially damaged when it impacted high vegetation at Mexican Mountain, a private airstrip northwest of Green River, Utah. The private pilot and his three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, bound for Richfield, Utah.

According to the pilot, the airplane was departing to the west. The pilot stated that he had "failed to leave enough [room] to get proper airspeed" to clear the brush at the west end of the runway. The airplane impacted the brush.

During the impact, the right wing was separated from the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2537R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2537R-2018-01-12), registration cancelled 2018-01-12, S/N 28-5644, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA 28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-5644
- Airframe hours: 5235
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2002, 210 hours before
- Departed: PVT, Mexican Mountai, UT
- Destination: RIF, RICHFIELD, UT
- Airport: Mexican Mountain, runway 27, 1,300 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 319 total, 226 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: PUC, 39 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 20030618011189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030618011189A), Jun 18, 2003: Piper PA28180, Green River, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was taking off a 2100 foot dirt and gravel back country runway. Pilot initiated takeoff using only 1800 feet of runway. As the aircraft approached…

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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