# NTSB DEN04LA042: Piper PA-18-150, N57534, Glade Park, CO, January 8, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 2004, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Glade Park, CO
- Coordinates: 39.002777, -108.710281
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0028&lon=-108.7103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSSO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA042

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing factors include the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and the snow covered terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

Due to low clouds and visibility at the destination airport, the pilot diverted to a local air park. While circling for landing, the pilot noted that the field was snow-covered; however, he could see vegetation through the snow and bare ground where snowmobiles had made several turns. During the landing, the main landing gear sank in the deep snow and the airplane nosed over, substantially damaging the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On January 8, 2004, at approximately 1400 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N57534, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing at Pinyon Air Park (CO43), Glade Park, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal, cross-country flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Blanding, Utah, at approximately 1230.

According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was en route to Grand Junction, Colorado. Due to low clouds and visibility in Grand Junction, the pilot diverted to Pinyon Air Park. While circling for landing, the pilot noted that the field was snow covered; however, he could see vegetation through the snow and bare ground where snowmobiles had made several turns.

During the landing, the main landing gear sank in the deep snow and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and rudder was crushed and the left wing was bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57534](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57534), registered now, S/N 18-7809090, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7809090
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2003, 212 hours before
- Departed: BDG, BLANDING, UT
- Destination: CO43, Glade Park, CO
- Airport: CO43, Pinyon

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 8, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 2,300 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.45 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 12 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 20040108000479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040108000479A), Jan 8, 2004: Piper PA18150, Glade Park, CO, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot attempted to land at a Private Airport due to fog in grand junction. On landing the aircraft rolled over onto its back due to deep snow.

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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