# NTSB DEN85LA165: Piper PA-24-250, N7259P, Clearfield, UT, June 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1985, 18:30 local (Jun 14, 1985, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Clearfield, UT
- Coordinates: 40.879074, -111.819854 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8791&lon=-111.8199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, check pilot (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT/OWNER WAS RECEIVING A CAP CHECK RIDE WITH AN INSTRUCTOR PLT & A PASSENGER ABOARD THE ACFT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A SIMULATED ENG OUT EXCERCISE, THE ACFT GOT WITHIN 200 FT OF THE GROUND WHEN THE INSTURCTOR 'GAVE ME ENGINE POWER BACK.'  THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND & SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG APPEARED TO NEVER REGAIN POWER. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7259P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7259P-1988-09-08), registration cancelled 1988-09-08, S/N 242435 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2435
- Airframe hours: 3732
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: James Willis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 12, 1985, 52 hours before
- Departed: BOUNTIFUL, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 523 total, 110 in this make and model, 388 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19850613025589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850613025589A), Jun 13, 1985: Piper PA24250, Clearfield, UT, Substantial damage. Impacted ground short of dirt strip after engine out exercise. Descended too low before adding power.

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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