# NTSB DEN86FA028: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2925U, Cheyenne Wells, CO, November 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1985, 16:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Cheyenne Wells, CO
- Coordinates: 38.810157, -102.349586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8102&lon=-102.3496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA028

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather forecast - inaccurate, atc personnel(fss) (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions
  - preflight briefing service - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - weather forecast - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,skin - buckled
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - buckled
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTING APA. THERE WAS A COLD FRONTAL SYSTEM MOVING DOWN FROM THE NORTH BUT WX WAS FORECAST TO BE VFR FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. THE PLT AND A PLT-PAX FLEW TO JLN WHERE THE PLT-PAX DISEMBARKED. THE PLT DID NOT OBTAINED AN UPDATED WX BRIEFING. ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY LOCAL SHERIFF TO COLLIDE  WITH POWER LINES AND CONTINUE FLYING FOR 4.5 MI BEFORE CRASHING AND BURNING. SHERIFF DESCRIBED WX AS FREEZING DRIZZLE AND 100 YARDS VISIBILITY WITH THE ROADS GETTING SLICK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2925U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2925U-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 28R-7931258, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7931258
- Airframe hours: 872
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard D. Sakasitz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1985, 23 hours before
- Departed: JLN, JOPLIN, MO
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 45V, Cheyenne Wells

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 0° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft unknown

## 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 19851122057829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851122057829A), Nov 22, 1985: Piper PA28RT201T, Cheyenne Wells, CO, Destroyed. Struck powerlines after encountering IFR weather. Aircraft impacted ground 4 miles from wire strike and burned.

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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