# NTSB DEN83LA184: Piper PA-28-140, N2893T, Erie, CO, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1983, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.019298, -105.039688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0193&lon=-105.0397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA184

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF IN VMC WX CONDITIONS WITH AN ARPT ELEVATION OF 5145 FT MSL AND TEMPERTAURE 86 DEGREES F. DENSITY ALT WAS 7468 FT. IN THE PILOTS OPERATING HANDBOOK THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE VS DENSITY ALT CHART GOES TO AMAX ALT OF 7000 FT. A NOTE SAYS 'EXTRAPOLATION OF THE CHART ABOVE 7000 FT DENSITY ALT IS INVALID'. AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR STATED THAT A TAKEOFF SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED IF THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE CANNOT BE DETERMINED BY THE CHARTS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN THE THE MIXTURE WAS LEANED USING THE PILOTS TECHNIQUE. IT WAS FOUND THAT 100 MORE RPM WAS OBTAINED WHEN THE MIXTURE WAS SET WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL LEANED AN ADDITIONAL 1/2 INCH. THE PLT HAD USED RWY 15 WHICH IS 5400 FT LONG FOR TAKEOFF. TAKEOFF ROLL WAS LONGER THAN USUAL & THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB ABOVE 200 FT. THE TERRAIN WAS RISING TO THE SOUTH SO THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2893T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2893T-2012-01-24), registration cancelled 2012-01-24, S/N 28-7225273, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7225273
- Airframe hours: 4046
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard J. Doyle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1982
- Destination: BJC, DENVER, CO
- Airport: 48V, Tri-County, runway 15, 5,400 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 514 total, 121 in this make and model, 480 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 7 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 19830807039209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830807039209A), Aug 7, 1983: Piper PA28140, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. After takeoff aircraft would not climb. Crash occurred during emergency landing. Density altitude was 7468 feet.

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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