# NTSB DEN04CA121: Piper PA-24-250, N7064P, Model, CO, July 22, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2004, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Model, CO - Coordinates: 37.251667, -104.334442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2517&lon=-104.3344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04CA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59876/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04CA121 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis While en route on a cross-country flight, the pilot noted that the fuel gauges read low. Subsequently the airplane's engine lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a pinion tree causing substantial damage. An examination of the airplane showed no fuel in either fuel tank. No other anomalies were found. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2004, at approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N7064P, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during a forced landing near Model, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Las Vegas, Nevada, at approximately 0635 and was en route to Lamar, Colorado. According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was en route to Steubenville, Ohio, with a planned fuel stop in Lamar, Colorado. Approximately 8 nautical miles northeast of Trinidad, Colorado, the pilot noted that the fuel gauges were low and subsequently the engine lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a pinion tree bending both the right and left wings, wrinkling the left aft portion of the fuselage and separating the engine and cowling from the fuselage. During the airplane recovery, no fuel was recovered from either fuel tank. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7064P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7064P-2005-03-31), registration cancelled 2005-03-31, S/N 24-2216, built 1960 (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: 24-2216 - Airframe hours: 4055.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 4, 2004, 5.3 hours before - Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV - Destination: LAA, Lamar, CO - Airport: TAD, Perry Stokes ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 25, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 868 total, 444 in this make and model, 812 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: TAD, 7 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 20040722017129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040722017129A), Jul 22, 2004: Piper PA24250, Model, CO, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot flew VFR from north las vegas airport (vgt) enroute to steubenville, oh (2G2) in visual meteorological conditions. Pilot planned to stop in lamar,… ## Other investigations on N7064P (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 MIA76FLA39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLA39), Apr 4, 1976: Piper PA-24 (N7064P), Quincy, FL, 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.