# NTSB DEN83LA031: Piper PA28-180, N8385W, Leadville, CO, November 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1982, 18:00 local (Nov 15, 1982, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.239429, -106.290458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2394&lon=-106.2905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - foreign substance covered (cause)
  - landing gear - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAKING OFF IN SNOW WITH WHEEL PANTS INSTALLED. THE PANTS FILLED WITH SNOW AND PLANE PULLED TO LEFT. IN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GET BACK ON THE RUNWAY THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE ASPHALT RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY SEPARATING THE NOSE-GEAR FROM THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8385W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8385W), registered now, S/N 28-2588 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2588
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Threlkeld
- Registered owner: Robert Threlkeld
- Departed: LXV, LEADVILLE, CO
- Destination: 4VO, RANGELY, CO
- Airport: LXV, Lake County, runway 16, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 348 total, 298 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 68 °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 19821114065019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821114065019A), Nov 14, 1982: Piper PA28180, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft during takeoff on snow-covered runway. Pilot claims snow jammed wheel pants.

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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