# NTSB DEN85LA231: Piper PA-28-181, N5418F, Englewood, CO, August 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1985, 23:45 local (Aug 31, 1985, 05:45 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.609214, -104.879058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6092&lon=-104.8791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - in-flight planning/decision - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 FULL TANKS OF FUEL WHEN HE DEPARTED THE AIRPORT ON A LOCAL NIGHT FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE FLEW BURNING FUEL FROM THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AFTER A FLIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES, WHEN HE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. HE STATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK BUT THEN SWITCHED IT BACK TO THE LEFT TANK MOMENTS LATER WHEN THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THEENG PERFORMANCE. THE ENG QUIT AND THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5418F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5418F-1991-10-25), registration cancelled 1991-10-25, S/N 287790116 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287790116
- Airframe hours: 1602
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AYM 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James & Cynthia Cole
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1985, 74 hours before
- Departed: 48V, ERIE, CO
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 16R, 5,145 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 6 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA

## 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 19850830042329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850830042329A), Aug 30, 1985: Piper PA28181, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit in pattern due to fuel exhaustion in selected tank. Landed short of runway in a field.

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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