# NTSB DEN86FA034: Piper PA-31-350, N9250Y, Englewood, CO, December 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1985, 18:08 local (Dec 2, 1985, 01:08 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Location: 39.5433° N, 104.8352° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CENTENNIAL (APA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5433&lon=-104.8352&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA034

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD BEEN FLYING APRX 7 HRS AND WAS COMPLETING THE FLT AT NIGHT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE WAS USING VISUAL CUES (THE ARPT ENVIROMENT) TO POSITION THE ACFT AT A PROPER ALT FOR A VISUAL APCH AND LANDING. THE TERRAIN SOUTH OF THE ARPT RISES SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET ABOVE THE ARPT ELEVATION. THE TERRAIN IS SPARSELY LIT. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 2 MILES SHORT OF RWY 34R IN AN OPEN PASTURE AT AN ELEV OF APRX 400 FT HIGHER THAN THE ARPT. THE PLT HAD FLOWN APRX 1 HR OF NIGHT TIME IN THE LAST 90 DAYS, ACCORDING TO HIS LOGBOOK.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9250Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9250Y), registered now, S/N 5077 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31P8414029
- Airframe hours: 296
- Engines: LYCOMING LTIO-540-V2AD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Zilfi Investment Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1985, 78 hours before
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: APA, Centennial

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,050 total, 212 in this make and model, 701 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 1 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 2 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 19851201058409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851201058409A), Dec 1, 1985: Piper PA31P350, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. Although cleared for an ILS approach, descended visually to airport. Impacted on higher flat terrain on final.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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