# NTSB DEN83LA211: Piper PA-18, N2621K, Breckenridge, CO, September 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1983, 07:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Breckenridge, CO
- Coordinates: 39.499988, -106.039802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5000&lon=-106.0398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA211

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING ON A PRIVATE ARPT THAT WAS CLOSED TO PUBLIC USE, THE PLT WAS PROHIBITED FROM USING IT TO TAKEOFF AGAIN. HE RECEIVED PERMISSION FROM THE OWNER OF A GRAVEL PLT TO USE HIS 'HAUL ROAD' WHICH WAS LOCATED NEXT TO THE ARPT. THE ELEVATION OF THE ROAD WAS ABOUT 9400 FT. THE PLT TAXIED OFF THE ARPT & ONTO THE GRAVEL PLT ROAD. HE STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HE LOWERED THE TAIL AS HE APPROACHED LIFT-OFF SPEED. AT THAT TIME, THE ACFT HIT A ROLLING DIP IN THE ROAD & LIFTED OFF TO ABOUT 15 TO 20 FT AGL & ROLLED THE ACFT INTO A SHALLOW RIGHT TURN. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AT THAT TIME. HE LEVELED THE WINGS AND APPLIED FULL FLAPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE FLYING. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT THEN HIT ON ITS NOSE & SPUN 270 DEG TO THE LEFT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE CARB HEAT WAS ON & THE MIXTURE WAAS AT FULL RICH, BUT NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE DENSITY ALT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 10,500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2621K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2621K), registered now, S/N 54-2629, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper L-21B](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-l-21b) (registry code 7101815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 54-2629
- Airframe hours: 2633
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Roland A. Jones
- Registered owner: Seale Aviation Supply Co.,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 3, 1983, 44 hours before
- Destination: 20V, KREMMLING, CO
- Airport: C011, Summit County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,510 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,431 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19830909047989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830909047989A), Sep 9, 1983: Piper PA18, Breckenridge, CO, Substantial damage. During takeoff from road aircraft became airborne prematurely and sank into ground lossing directional control.

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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