# NTSB DEN08CA045: Piper PA-46-310P, N33MF, Gunnison, CO, December 29, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 29, 2007, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Gunnison, CO
- Coordinates: 38.533889, -106.933052
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5339&lon=-106.9331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA045

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff resulting in the airplane hitting a snowbank and subsequently, the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

The airplane was taking off. As the pilot began his takeoff roll, he noticed the airplane sliding just a little. As he continued to accelerate, he got the airplane straight and proceeded down the center of the runway. The pilot said that at about 75 knots, he rotated. He said he was watching a snow plow that was farther down the runway and off to the side.  He'd just gotten into the air, approximately 5 feet above the runway, when the airplane drifted left and the left main landing gear caught a snow bank. The airplane came down, impacting the ground off the side of the runway and coming to rest in the snow. The pilot and the four passengers on board were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot said he felt he did not put in enough right rudder to counter the torque of the propeller after he left the ground.

## Factual narrative

The airplane was taking off. As the pilot began his takeoff roll, he noticed the airplane sliding just a little. As he continued to accelerate, he got the airplane straight and proceeded down the center of the runway. The pilot said that at about 75 knots, he rotated. He said he was watching a snow plow that was farther down the runway and off to the side.  He'd just gotten into the air, approximately 5 feet above the runway, when the airplane drifted left and the left main landing gear caught a snow bank. The airplane came down, impacting the ground off the side of the runway and coming to rest in the snow. The pilot and the four passengers on board were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot said he felt he did not put in enough right rudder to counter the torque of the propeller after he left the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33MF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33MF-2010-04-05), registration cancelled 2010-04-05, S/N 4608058, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-46-310P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4608058
- Engines: Continental IO-550 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Max A. Hale
- Registered owner: Freedom Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GUC, Gunnison, CO
- Destination: Phoenix, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,400 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20071229829419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071229829419A), Dec 29, 2007: Piper PA46310P, Gunnison, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) After rotation aircraft drifted to the left striking the snow with the left landing gear causing aircraft to contact the ground with the left wing,…

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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