# NTSB DEN82DA105: Piper PA-20, N3411A, Near Rawlins, WY, June 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1982, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Rawlins, WY
- Coordinates: 41.779026, -107.219116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7790&lon=-107.2191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA105

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD LANDED ON A BLACKTOP ROAD, BUT OPTED TO TAKEOFF ON A GRAVEL ROAD BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY OF REFLECTOR POSTS TO THE WINGS. HE STEPPED OFF THE ROAD AND ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 800 FT FOR TAKEOFF. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 9150 FT. AFTER STARTING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HE ELECTED TO ABORT. WHILE ABORTING, THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE ROAD AT A CURVE, ENCOUNTERED A 3 TO 4 FT DROP IN THE TERRAIN, AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3411A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3411A-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 20-1073, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20-135) (registry code 7102010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20-1073
- Airframe hours: 1540
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John L. Gibbens
- Registered owner: John L. Gibbens
- Departed: RWL, RAWLINS, WY
- Destination: RWL, RAWLINS, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 433 total, 67 in this make and model, 385 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 154 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWL, 10 nm away

## 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 19820619023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820619023199A), Jun 19, 1982: Piper PA20, Rawlins, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff from road. Aircraft ran off road at curve and flipped inverted in ditch.

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.