# NTSB DEN84LA127: Piper PA-28-140, N4FN, Monticello, UT, April 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1984, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, UT
- Coordinates: 37.980484, -109.290321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9805&lon=-109.2903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED UPHILL WITH A TAILWIND AT NEAR GROSS WEIGHT WITH A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE. THE FLIGHT WAS LATE GETTINGSTARTED & AN EXCESSIVE MAGNETO DROP WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A FOULED PLUG. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS UNDER MENTAL STRESS. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF BUT SLOWLY LOST ALTITUDE & IMPACTED A MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. BOTH WINGS WERE DEMOLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4FN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4FN-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 28-7525054, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7525054
- Airframe hours: 4930
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Forrest Weldon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1983, 41 hours before
- Departed: U43
- Destination: GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Airport: U43, San Juan, runway 16, 4,800 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 124 total, 21 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 10 °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 19840413014849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840413014849A), Apr 13, 1984: Piper PA28140, Monticello, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted downwind high density altitude takeoff. Aircraft would not climb out of ground effect and crashed.

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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