# NTSB DEN86FA020: Piper PA-230-250, N1909T, Englewood, CO, November 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1985, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Location: 39.4852° N, 104.8259° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CENTENNIAL (APA), within about 2 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4852&lon=-104.8259&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA020

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - autopilot - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - navigation receiver - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD NEW AVIONICS AND AUTOPILOT SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. NTAP DATA INDICATED THAT THE ACFT DID NOT ATTAIN THE ASSIGNED ALT OF 8200 FT PRIOR TO REACHING THE OUTER MARKER. THE ACFT DID NOT GET ESTABLISHED ON THE LOCALIZER COURSE FOR RWY 34R AND THE RATE OF DESCENT INCREASED AFTER PASSAGE OF THE OUTER MARKER. THE ACFT IMPACTED HILLY TERRAIN AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITH THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS IN THE UP POSITION, APRX 1 MILE NORTH OF THE MARKER. POST CRASH EXAM OF ACFT REVEALED NO. 1 NAV RADIO WAS TUNED TO 117.0, THE DENVER VOR FREQ. THE STANDBY NAV FREQ WAS 111.3, THE LOCALIZER FREQ FOR RWY 34R. THE INBOUND HEADING FOR 34R IS 347 DEGREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1909T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1909T-1989-01-18), registration cancelled 1989-01-18, S/N 272958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-230-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-2958
- Airframe hours: 4004
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Parker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1985, 128 hours before
- Departed: MLE, OMAHA, NE
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 34R, 10,000 × 101 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,231 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 4 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 19851109076719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851109076719A), Nov 9, 1985: Piper PA23250, Englewood, CO, Destroyed. Indicates pilot lost control of aircraft during the ILS approach. Airframe icing and turbulence in the area.

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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