# NTSB DEN83FA111: Piper PA28R-201T, N2943Z, Aurora, CO, May 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1983, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Coordinates: 39.739868, -104.859085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7399&lon=-104.8591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - overload (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - failure,total (cause)
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuselage - ice (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stabilizer - ice (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A JUMP START BECAUSE THE BATTERY FAILED TO START THE ENG. AFTER DEPARTURE & LEVELING OF AT 10,000 FT, HE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE 1 INCH OF RIME ICE HE HAD PICKED UP & GOT AN UPDATED WX BRIEFING FROM FLT WATCH. HE ASKED FOR & RECEIVED A CLEARANCE BACK TO ARAPAHOE ARPT. DURING LETDOWN TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. AFTER BREAKING OUT OF THE OVERCAST HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE COLUMBINE ARPT. WHILE FLYING IN & OUT OF CLOUDS THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY DURING THE 2ND LANDING ATTEMPT. ABOUT 1-1/2 INCHES OF ICE HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE ACFT. EXAM OF THE BATTERY REVEALED THATIT HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO VERY HIGH OPERATING TEMPS. THE 6 CELLS WERE DRY. THE TOP OF THE BATTERY BORE EVIDENCE OF PAINT BUBBLING & CASE DISTORTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2943Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2943Z-2011-03-31), registration cancelled 2011-03-31, S/N 28R-7931268, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R-201T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R 7931268
- Airframe hours: 913
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Elwood & Ken Lowe Arct.
- Registered owner: Dan Manicke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1983, 3 hours before
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Destination: TOP, TOPEKA, KS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: O1V, Columbine, runway 32, 5,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 488 total, 25 in this make and model, 348 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19830513019079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830513019079A), May 13, 1983: Piper PA28RT201T, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. Lost electric power on level for cruise. Descended thru clouds. Stalled on approach due airframe ice. Dead battery.

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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