# NTSB DEN84FA148: Piper PA-23-150, N1425P, Parker, CO, May 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1984, 11:36 local (17:36 UTC)
- Place: Parker, CO
- Coordinates: 39.499633, -104.76033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4996&lon=-104.7603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - delayed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ground
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR TWO MONTHS AND HE INTENDED TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WERE REQUESTED TO ADD 10 GALS OF FUEL TO THE RIGHT MAIN TANK JUST PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THEY REPORTED THAT UPON ARRIVAL THE PILOT DID NOT DRAIN ANY FUEL FROM THE ACFT OR PERFORM ANY OTHER FORM OF PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION. UPON RAISING THE LANDING GEAR AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED AN UNSAFE NOSE GEAR LIGHT. THE NOSE GEAR WAS PUMPED UP AND THE POWER REDUCED TO CLIMB WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE. AT 1200 TO 1400 FT AGL THE PILOT TURNED CROSSWIND BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING ABOUT 1,000 RPM AT THIS TIME. DESCENDING BELOW 500 FT AGL THE PILOT FLEW TOWARD A FIELD, EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR AND LANDED WITH THE GEAR IN TRANSIT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO FEATHER THE LEFT PROPELLER. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED NO SIGNIFICANT DISCREPANCIES. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 7,974 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1425P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1425P-1988-12-05), registration cancelled 1988-12-05, S/N 23481 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-481
- Airframe hours: 2574
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hugo Dryger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1983, 38 hours before
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,073 total, 99 in this make and model, 2,696 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 10 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 19840513016729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840513016729A), May 13, 1984: Piper PA23250, Parker, CO, Substantial damage. Left engine lost power on climbout. Pilot did not feather propeller. Landed in field. Suspect water in fuel.

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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