# NTSB DEN84FA303: Piper PA-31-310, N7205L, Paonia, CO, September 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1984, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Paonia, CO
- Coordinates: 38.86082, -107.590759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8608&lon=-107.5908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA303

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALT OVER MOUNTANOUS TERRAIN. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED A CREST OF A RIDGE THE ACFT STARTED TO BUFFET AND THEN ENCOUNTERED A DOWNSLOPE WIND CONDITION. THE COMBINATION OF APPROACHING A STALL AND ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT FORCED THE AIRCRAFT INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7205L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7205L-1986-03-28), registration cancelled 1986-03-28, S/N 31-716 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31) (registry code 7103103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-716
- Airframe hours: 9321
- Engines: LYCOMING TURBO 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero Services Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1984, 17 hours before
- Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Destination: PAONIA, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25,587 total, 1,960 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTJ, 35 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 19840928056609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840928056609A), Sep 28, 1984: Piper PA31, Paonia, CO, Destroyed. Flying close to ground during survey. Cleared ridge but downdraft and density altitude resulted in stall into trees

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.