# NTSB DEN82DA167: Piper PA-28-235, N16541, Englewood, CO, August 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1982, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.610679, -104.879417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6107&lon=-104.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA167

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT ON DOWNWIND AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND DOWNWIND ON THE RUNWAY BUT CRASHED OFF THE AIRPORT. THE FUELSELECTOR WAS FOUND ON AN AUXILIARY TANK. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND OTHER OPERATORS OF THE AIRCRAFT, ONLY ABOUT THREE GALLONS OF FUEL ARE PUT INTO THE AUXILIARY TANKS FOR LOCAL FLIGHTS. THE PILOT HAD MADE ONE TOUCH AND GO LANDING PRIOR TOTHE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16541](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16541-1983-03-26), registration cancelled 1983-03-26, S/N 28-7310104 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7310104
- Airframe hours: 2386
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flying Chargers Inc.
- Registered owner: Flying Chargers Inc.
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Airport: APA, Arapande County, runway 10, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 577 total, 35 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 183 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820818039279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820818039279A), Aug 18, 1982: Piper PA28235, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Crashed against embankment short of runway. Fuel selector was on empty auxiliary fuel tank.

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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