# NTSB DEN04LA133: Piper PA-20, N7030K, Hayden, CO, September 3, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2004, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Hayden, CO
- Coordinates: 40.825, -107.233329
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8250&lon=-107.2333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Denver Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA133

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing factors include the excessive crosswind component, and the gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - crosswind component - excessive (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting to land on a grass strip when he "encountered a strong crosswind." The pilot stated that he landed on a heading of 090. The airplane nosed over causing substantial damage. Winds at Hayden, Colorado, (20 miles south of the grass strip) were reported as 200 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 30 knots. The pilot estimated the winds were 180 degrees at 14 knots with gusts between 20 and 25 knots. The calculated crosswind component was between 18 and 28 knots. A postaccident examination revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On September 3, 2004, at approximately 0945 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N7030K, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing on a grass strip 20 miles north of Hayden, 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 and his passenger were not injured. The local flight originated at approximately 0930.

According to the FAA inspector, the pilot was attempting to land on a grass strip when he "encountered a strong crosswind." The pilot noted on his accident report form that he landed on a heading of 090. The airplane nosed over, wrinkling the firewall, bending both wings and crushing the vertical stabilizer. Winds at Hayden, Colorado, (20 miles south of the grass strip) were from 200 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 30 knots. The pilot estimated the winds were 180 degrees at 14 knots with gusts between 20 and 25 knots. The calculated crosswind component was between 18 and 28 knots. A postaccident examination revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7030K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7030K-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 20-135, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-135
- Airframe hours: 2470.3
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2004, 50 hours before
- Departed: Hayden, CO
- Airport: Private Grass Strip, runway 090, 1,600 × 20 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 24, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 36 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 19 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: HDN, 20 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 20040903022999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040903022999A), Sep 3, 2004: Piper PA20, Steamboatspring, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot's solo takeoff was from a grass landing strip on the elk head ranch, 20 miles north of hayden, Colorado, at approximately 0920 on sept. 3,…

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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