# NTSB DEN82DA174: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N3072Z, 15mi. Ne Of Chr, CO, August 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1982, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: 15mi. Ne Of Chr, CO
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69624
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69624/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THERE WAS A TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE PILOT LANDED IN A SMALL CLEARING, BUT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR HIT A LARGE ROCK. THE GEAR FAILED AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED NEAR THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER STOPPING, HE SAW A TRAIL OF FLAME ABOUT 8 INCHES WIDE HEADING TOWARD THE PLANE. HE STATED THAT HE JUMPED OUT OVER THE WING AND DOWN THE CLIFF, THEN A FEW MOMENTS LATER THERE WERE 2 LOUD EXPLOSIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. THE PILOT STAYED WITH THE PLANE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY, THEN ELECTED TO WALK OUT. HE REPORTED BECOMING DISORIENTED AND SPENT 3 DAYS IN THE MOUNTAINS BEFORE REACHING HELP. THE PLANE CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 9500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3072Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3072Z-1983-04-09), registration cancelled 1983-04-09, S/N 28R-7931178, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R79311783
- Airframe hours: 1450
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert C. Herschman
- Registered owner: Rollin Willcoxson
- Departed: P16, MESA, AZ
- Destination: IML, IMPERIAL, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 711 total, 75 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

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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