# NTSB DEN80FTE63: Piper PA-28, N6517W, Elizabeth, CO, July 16, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 16, 1980
- Place: Elizabeth, CO · ELIZABETH, CO
- Location: 39.3597° N, 104.6085° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elizabeth, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3597&lon=-104.6085&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN80FTE63
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTE63

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2531  80/7/16    ELIZABETH,CO        PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             NO CERTIFICATE, AGE 26,
        TIME - 1200                    N6517W              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  110 TOTAL HOURS, 82 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PRIVATE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELIZABETH,CO                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CARBON DEPOSITS
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: CYLINDER ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOW COMPRESSION
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          NONE                                                     180
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           15                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- 1600FT DIRT DRIVEWAY WITH WEEDS.ELEV 6500FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6517W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6517W-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 28-20596, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (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
- Airport: Private

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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