# NTSB DEN84LA091: Piper PA-24-260, N8984P, Crested Butte, CO, February 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1984, 09:07 local (16:07 UTC)
- Place: Crested Butte, CO
- Coordinates: 38.870136, -106.980117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8701&lon=-106.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil grade - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,oil - movement restricted
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - false indication (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - slush covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED DURING CLIMB. AN INVESTIGAITON REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD 50 WEIGHT OIL IN IT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 15 DEGREES F. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN, PRE-HEATED FROM THE TOP BECAUSE THE HOSE COULD NOT BE INSERTED THROUGH THE LOWER COWL NEAR THE OIL SUMP. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THE #3 & #4 CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLTS HAD FAILED AFTER THE ROD BEARINGS HAD 'FROZEN' FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8984P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8984P), registered now, S/N 24-4443, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4443
- Airframe hours: 2383
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Inland Disposal,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1983, 106 hours before
- Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 3V6, Crested Butte, runway 11, 4,500 × 50 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 354 total, 304 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F

## 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 19840212003599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840212003599A), Feb 12, 1984: Piper PA24260, Crested Butte, CO, Substantial damage. Engine failed shortly after takeoff. Engine had not been properly preheated before flight.

## Other investigations on N8984P (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI67A0085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67A0085), Jan 9, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N8984P), Richmond, IN, substantial damage

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.