# NTSB DEN07CA046: Piper PA-34-200T, N821GS, Walden, CO, January 1, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 1, 2007, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Walden, CO - Coordinates: 40.75, -106.271385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7500&lon=-106.2714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Denver, Colorado FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65122/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA046 ## Probable cause The pilot experiencing lateral flight control stiffness for undetermined reasons and the pilot's intentional wheels up landing. Factors were the snow covered and rough/uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Wheels up landing, emergency descent/landing - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was in cruise flight at 12,500 feet. The pilot told his wife that he was disengaging the autopilot to maneuver over the mountains. He then pressed the trim-disengage button on the control yoke. Shortly after, the airplane began rolling uncontrollably to the left and right. The pilot steadied the airplane with the rudder. He then began a 1/2 standard rate left turn. When he went to roll the airplane right, he said that the flight controls were difficult to manipulate. He attempted additional turns and found the problem continued. The pilot changed airspeed and found the problem increased with reduced airspeed. After that, he declared an emergency with air traffic control, began a descent, and proceeded to the nearest airport. The pilot said he was unable to locate the airport so he elected to perform a wheels up landing on a snow-covered field. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the inboard left wing and the bottom left side of the forward fuselage. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could explain the stiff controls. ## Factual narrative The airplane was in cruise flight at 12,500 feet. The pilot disengaged the autopilot to maneuver over the mountains. He then pressed the trim-disengage button on the control yoke and shortly afterward, the airplane began rolling to the left and right. The pilot steadied the airplane with the rudder. He then began a 1/2 standard rate left turn. When he went to roll the airplane right, he said that the flight controls were difficult to manipulate. He attempted additional turns and found the that problem continued. The pilot changed airspeed and found the problem increased with reduced airspeed. After that, he declared an emergency with air traffic control, began a descent, and proceeded to the nearest airport. The pilot said he was unable to locate the airport so he elected to perform a wheels up landing on a snow-covered field. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the inboard left wing and the bottom left side of the forward fuselage. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could explain the stiff controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N821GS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N821GS-2008-01-22), registration cancelled 2008-01-22, S/N 34-7770419, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7770419 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Teton Leasing, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GXY, Greeley, CO - Destination: RKS, Rock Springs, WY - Flight plan: VFR ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: LAR 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.