# NTSB DEN85LA245: Piper PA-28-235, N9186W, Sugar City, CO, September 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1985, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Sugar City, CO
- Coordinates: 38.230079, -103.659355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2301&lon=-103.6594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA245

## Sequence of events

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

- Explosion, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - leak (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - overtorque (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment - exploded (cause)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - smoke (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

PLTS WERE PARTICIPATING IN MILE-HIGH AIR DERBY BETWEEN DENVER, COLORADO AND TAOS, NEW MEXICO. ACFT WAS FLYING  50 FT AGL AND AT FULL THROTTLE. WHEN PLT DEPRESSED MICROPHONE BUTTON TO GIVE POSITION REPORT, A MUFFLED EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. CABIN IMMEDIATELY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN OPEN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9186W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10843
- Airframe hours: 2014
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lawrence P. Whistle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 9, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: 1W1, DENVER, CO
- Destination: SKX, TAOS, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 25V, Ordway

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 91 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHX, 11 nm away

## 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 19850921054759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850921054759A), Sep 21, 1985: Piper PA28235, Sugar City, CO, Destroyed. Explosion and cockpit filled with smoke. Safe landing. Fuel line leak ignited by spark between radio contacts.

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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