# NTSB DEN86LA224: Piper PA-24-260, N8544P, Monument Valley, UT, August 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1986, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Monument Valley, UT
- Coordinates: 37.080902, -110.249099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0809&lon=-110.2491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA224

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not attained
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON AN APPROACH FOR LANDING WHEN THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. HE SAID THAT INCREASING POWER DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE AN EFFECT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT LANDED HARD, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR DURING THE APPROACH. LOCAL PILOTS WERE AWARE OF UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS THAT OCCUR AT THE ARPT. VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS NOTE THAT THIS WAS A PRIVATE ARPT AND ITS USE WAS AT THE PLT'S OWN RISK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8544P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8544P), registered now, S/N 24-4001, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4001
- Airframe hours: 5945
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Park Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1986, 39 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Airport: 71V, Monument Valley, runway 16, 3,100 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 820 total, 131 in this make and model, 716 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 4HV

## 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 19860808038389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860808038389A), Aug 8, 1986: Piper PA24260, Monument Valley, UT, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed hard and veered off side of runway. Pilot reported downdraft. Density altitude was high.

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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