# NTSB DEN86LA027: Piper PA-38-112, Ft. Collins, CO, November 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: November 16, 1985, 15:45 UTC, 08:45 local
- Place: Ft. Collins, CO
- Coordinates: 40.650104, -105.030448 (estimated)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA027
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA027

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH LARGE CHUNKS OF SNOW ON THE RWY DURING TAKEOFF ROLL. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE ROLL ABOUT MID-WAY DOWN THE RWY HE SPOTTED THE SNOW AND DECIDED TO ABORT BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE SNOW. THE LEFT GEAR CONTACTED THE SNOW AND THE ACFT VEERED LEFT CONTACTING A SNOW BERM. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR THEN COLLAPSED.

## Sequence of events

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport snow removal - poor, fbo personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2601G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 79A0566
- Airframe hours: 1959
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: MT. FLYERS AERO CLUB
- Airport: 3V5, DWNTWN FT COLLINS AIRPARK, runway 29
- FAA reports: 19851116058139A (https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851116058139A) (OpenAirDocs)

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 28; private; medical class 3; hours: 11 90 days, 10 90 days in this make and model, 78 pic, 40 pic in this make and model, 118 total, 41 total in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 348° at 4 knots
- Visibility (statute miles): 69
- Temperature (°F): 28.4

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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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.