# NTSB DEN86LA065: Piper PA-28R-200, N33535, Sterling, CO, January 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1986, 18:50 local (Jan 16, 1986, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, CO
- Coordinates: 40.62025, -103.189826 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6202&lon=-103.1898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - foreign substance covered (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, check pilot (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DURING THE CHECKRIDE FOR HIS COMMERCIAL PLT CERTIFICATE, THE FLT EXAMINER GAVE HIM A SIMULATED ELECTRICAL FAILURE & TURNED THE LANDING LIGHTS OFF. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE NIGHT LANDING FLARE, HE LOST VISUAL REFERENCE WITH THE RWY DUE TO SNOWBANKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RWY AND THE ACFT SLID TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THE RIGHT WING AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED THE SNOWBANK BEFORE HE REALIZED THE DRIFT HAD OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33535](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33535-1989-07-13), registration cancelled 1989-07-13, S/N 28R7535158 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7535158
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Brock Taras
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 19, 1985, 120 hours before
- Airport: STK, Crosson Field, runway 15, 4,700 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 506 total, 182 in this make and model, 462 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AKO, 26 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 19860115000739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860115000739A), Jan 15, 1986: Piper PA28R200, Sterling, CO, Substantial damage. Drifted to side, hit a snowbank. Runway lights hidden by snowbank. Did not use landing lights on this checkride.

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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