# NTSB DEN86LA169: Piper PA-28-235, N8844W, Last Chance, CO, June 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1986, 19:30 local (Jun 22, 1986, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Last Chance, CO
- Coordinates: 39.730594, -103.399742 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7306&lon=-103.3997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID WHILE ON LANDING ROLL A CROSS WIND DRIFTED N8844W OFF RIGHT HAND SIDE OF RWY ON A FARM STRIP. LOST CONTROL IN SOFT DIRT AND NOSED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THE PLT WAS UNINJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8844W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8844W-1989-12-12), registration cancelled 1989-12-12, S/N 2810394 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10394
- Airframe hours: 1566
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Leoffler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1986, 48 hours before
- Airport: runway 34, 2,800 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 24 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860621027079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860621027079A), Jun 21, 1986: Piper PA28235, Last Chance, CO, Substantial damage. Veered off runway during downwind rollout. Aircraft nosed over in soft ground.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.