# NTSB DEN85LA169: Piper PA-24-180, N6096P, Yuma, CO, June 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 19:00 local (Jun 24, 1985, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, CO
- Location: 40.1225° N, 102.7156° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yuma, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1225&lon=-102.7156&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON JUNE 23, 1985, A PIPER PA24 CRASHED IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM YUMA ARPT WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER ACFT. THE PLT MADE A RIGHT TURN IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF. HE THEN SAW THE TRAFFIC AND PUSHED THE CONTROL WHEEL FORWARD. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE OTHER ACFT WAS A CROPDUSTER. THE PLT OF THE CROPDUSTER SAID THE TWO ACFT WERE 1/4 MILE APART AT THE CLOSEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6096P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-54OE 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Nunn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 2V6, CO
- Destination: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Airport: ZV6, Yuma Municipal, runway 4, 2,200 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °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 19850623027289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623027289A), Jun 23, 1985: Piper PA24, Yuma, CO, Substantial damage. Stalled after takeoff while turning to look for other traffic. Longer runway available, density altitude a factor.

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.