# NTSB DEN85LA121: Boeing PT 17, N555JW, Aurora, CO, April 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1985, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Coordinates: 39.740463, -104.779533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7405&lon=-104.7795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED WHILE LANDING AT FRONT RANGE APRT, AURORA, CO. THE PLT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION FROM A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT LAND IN A NORMAL MANNER THEN IT BEGAN TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE RWY WHICH TERMINATED WITH THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSING. THE PLTS HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE CAUSE OF THE GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N555JW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING PT 17
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-2955
- Airframe hours: 3066
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W67D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Walters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 2, 1984
- Departed: ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Airport: Front Range, runway 26, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 126 total, 7 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19850427017629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850427017629A), Apr 27, 1985: Boeing PT17, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. Ground looped during instructional flight. Right main gear folded.

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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