# NTSB DEN85FA186: Piper PA-28-161, N2443Y, Aspen, CO, July 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1985, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Aspen, CO
- Coordinates: 39.189144, -106.820472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1891&lon=-106.8205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA186

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

CFI AND STUDENT DEPARTED ASPEN, COLORADO, ON A DUAL X-COUNTRY FLT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 9954 FEET. THE CFI DIRECTED STUDENT TO FLY UP A CANYON IN AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF ACFT AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER TERRAIN THAT RISES UPWARD TO 11000 FEET. THE ACFT STRUCK TALL TREES AT THE 9800 FOOT LEVEL. THE ACCIDENT SITE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 11916 FEET. THE ACFT SERVICE CEILING IS 12000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2443Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2443Y-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 28-8516038, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8516038
- Airframe hours: 117
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flower Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1985, 4 hours before
- Departed: ASE
- Destination: LXV, LEADVILLE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 517 total, 244 in this make and model, 190 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 4 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 19850712030839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850712030839A), Jul 12, 1985: Piper PA28161, Aspen, CO, Destroyed. Unable to outclimb rising terrain after takeoff. Struck trees, impacted ground. Density altitude of 11916 feet.

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.