# NTSB DEN84FA019: Piper PA-28-236, N2174M, Kim, CO, October 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1983, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Kim, CO
- Location: 37.2471° N, 103.3534° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kim, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2471&lon=-103.3534&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA019

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A WING DOWN NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE PLT HAD BEEN ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR HIS ROUTE OF FLT. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT WENT ANYWAY AND ENCOUNTERED WEATHER. IN MANEUVERING TO GET BELOW OR OUT OF THE WEATHER THE PLT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. WEATHER OBSERVATION 45 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE ABOUT 1 HOUR EARLIER WAS 1200 FT BROKEN, 2000 FT OVERCAST WITH THE MESAS AND MOUNTAINS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2174M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2174M-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 28-7911067, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7911067
- Airframe hours: 745
- Engines: Avco Lycoming O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Richard J. Kruse
- Registered owner: Son'S Drilling , Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1982
- Departed: BYG, BUFFALO, WY
- Destination: E02, ODESSA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TAD, 65 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 19831008055669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831008055669A), Oct 8, 1983: Piper PA28236, Kim, CO, Destroyed. Lost control flying into area of cloud obscured mesas. Near vertical impact on a mesa. Advised VFR not recommended.

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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