# NTSB DEN84LA214: Piper PA-28, N9638W, Empire, CO, July 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1984, 09:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Empire, CO
- Coordinates: 39.749851, -105.680618 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7499&lon=-105.6806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16426
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16426/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT STATED, 'DEPARTED ARAPAHOE, PLANNING ON SELECTING BEST MOUNTAIN PASS VERSUS ALTITUDE ACHIEVED. AT 10,500, DECIDED PASS I WAS ENTERING WOULD BE TOO DIFFICULT & BEGAN MANEUVERING FOR 180 TURN. SEVERE DOWNDRAFT OCCURRED & ALTITUDE & AIRSPEED LOST PRECLUDED A SAFE 180 DEG (TREE WERE OBSTACLE POTENTIAL IN LAST HALF TURN). DECIDE TO GO FOR CLEAR, PAVED AREA, BUT INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WOULD NOT PERMIT 90 DEG TURN TO LAND.' THE ACFT CRASHED ON A CONCRETE COVERED CLEARING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9638W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23096
- Airframe hours: 2684
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Winfield S. Burns
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1984, 18 hours before
- Departed: APA, DENVER, CO
- Destination: S27, KALISPELL, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,025 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,525 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °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 19840709030849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840709030849A), Jul 9, 1984: Piper PA28140, Empire, CO, Substantial damage. Unable to outclimb rising terrain in a mountain pass. Made a 180 too late and crash landed on a level paved area.

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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