# NTSB DEN80FA014: Piper PA-23, N2013P, Grand Lake, CO, December 23, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 23, 1979
- Place: Grand Lake, CO · GRAND LAKE, CO
- Location: 40.2465° N, 105.8264° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Lake, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2465&lon=-105.8264&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN80FA014
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FA014

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3901  79/12/23 NR.GRAND LAKE,CO      PIPER PA-23         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1400                    N2013P              PX-  1  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  41, 6200 TOTAL HOURS, 25
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          LONGMONT,CO                 FULLERTON,CA.                LAS LEGAS,NV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - OTHER
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    13500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- ACFT OWNER BRFD PLT ON WX.ENCTRD DWDFT NR TOP OF MTN RIDGE.RECOVERY DATE-12/25/79.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2013P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2013P-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 23-740, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19791223040309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791223040309A), Dec 23, 1979: Piper PA23, Grand Lake, CO, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Tried to fly through mountainous area with passes above aircraft's ceiling. Hit downdraft. Impacted in a snow field

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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