# NTSB DEN85FA229: Piper PA-18-150, N14331, Peyton, CO, August 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1985, 15:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Peyton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.029762, -104.479743 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0298&lon=-104.4797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA229

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - daylight
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Fire, other
  - fluid,fuel - exploded
  - fluid,fuel - burned

## Analysis

THE TWO EXPERIENCED PILOTS TOOK OFF FROM HIGH ALT AIRSTRIP UNDER HIGH DENSITY ALT CONDITIONS. WITNESSES SAID ACFT ENTERED A 60-DEGREE LEFT BANKING TURN. WHEN ACFT HAD COMPLETED 120-DEGREES OF TURN, THE NOSE DROPPED. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT SIDE-SLIPPED TO THE LEFT AND LOST CONSIDERABLE ALTITUDE. THE ACFT SEEMED TO RECOVER BUT THEN SIDE-SLIPPED TO THE RIGHT. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND, SLID TO THE RIGHT, AND BURST INTO FLAMES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N14331 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7409089
- Airframe hours: 376
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harry B. Combs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1985
- Airport: Bijou Springs Ranch, runway 21, 3,640 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,659 total, 71 in this make and model, 7,301 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS, 23 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 19850831042069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850831042069A), Aug 31, 1985: Piper PA18150, Peyton, CO, Destroyed. Stalled after uphill takeoff with density altitude of 9840 feet and near gross weight. Struck ground and burned.

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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