# NTSB DEN86LA261: Piper PA-28R-201, N3482M, Englewood, CO, September 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1986, 11:04 local (17:04 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.739307, -104.859573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7393&lon=-104.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA261

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

PLT AND THERE PAX WERE DEPARTING FOR A LCL FLT. THE PLT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE LEANED THE MIXTURE PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE ROTATED THE ACFT AT 65 KTS, AND DURING THE CLIMB THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE STALL COND BY LOWERING THE NOSE. THE PLT SAID HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN FLT AND LANDED IN AN OPEN AREA OFF THE END OF RUNWAY 17L. THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE. PERFORMANCE CHARTS INDICATE A ROTATION SPEED OF 68 KTS WAS NEEDED FOR FLT. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE 050 DEGREES AT 08 KTS. THE PLT'S TOTAL TIME WAS 108 HRS WITH 13 IN M&M.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3482M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7837117
- Airframe hours: 4650
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Smyth
- Registered owner: Douglas Hartel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1986, 34 hours before
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 17L, 10,000 × 101 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total, 13 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA

## 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 19860928048499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860928048499A), Sep 28, 1986: Piper PA28R201, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot reported wind shear at departure end of runway. Aircraft impacted the ground. 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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