# NTSB DEN85LA006: Piper PA-22, N8759D, Rocky Ford, CO, October 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1984, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Rocky Ford, CO
- Coordinates: 38.039482, -103.719703 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0395&lon=-103.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AT 150 TO 200 FT AGL THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE THE CLIMB OR MAINTAIN ALT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLLOUT IN A CORN FIELD THE ACFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS AS DESCRIBED BY THE PLT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8759D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8759D-1985-09-16), registration cancelled 1985-09-16, S/N 22-5943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5943
- Airframe hours: 1476
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Billie T. Pitts
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1983, 9 hours before
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Airport: 2V8, Rocky Ford, runway 8, 3,800 × 80 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,240 total, 180 in this make and model, 92 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19841007058439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841007058439A), Oct 7, 1984: Piper PA22160, Rocky Ford, CO, Destroyed. Unable to climb after takeoff. Crash landed off airport. Engine crankshaft and bearings badly worn.

## Other investigations on N8759D (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 NYC67F0130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67F0130), Jul 16, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N8759D), Selbyville, DE, 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.

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