# NTSB DEN76FTE45: Piper PA-32, N4291T, Saint Elmo, CO, December 30, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: December 30, 1975
- Place: Saint Elmo, CO · SAINT ELMO, CO
- Location: 38.7047° N, 106.3481° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Saint Elmo, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7047&lon=-106.3481&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 151723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN76FTE45
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FTE45

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3730  75/12/30 NR.SAINT ELMO,CO      PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 33, 293
        TIME - 1800                    N4291T              PX-  0  1  4  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MCCOOK,NE                   MONTROSE,CO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 12/31/75. HIT MTN RIDGE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4291T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4291T-1976-01-20), registration cancelled 1976-01-20, S/N 32-7240059, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19751230038579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19751230038579A), Dec 30, 1975: Piper PA32300, Saint Elmo, CO, Destroyed. Recovery date 12/31/75. Hit mtn ridge.

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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