# NTSB DEN87FA035: Piper PA-12-150, N78475, Gilcrest, CO, December 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1986, 09:26 local (16:26 UTC)
- Place: Gilcrest, CO
- Coordinates: 40.280811, -104.780151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2808&lon=-104.7802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA035

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - buzzing, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - sand bar

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A LOW PASS AT APRX 200 FT AGL & WAVED AT TW0 FRIENDS WHO WERE DUCK HUNTING. HE THEN MADE A 2ND PASS AT APRX 150 FT & LEFT THE AREA. ABOUT 10 MIN LATER, THE ACFT RETURNED & WAS SEEN FLYING DOWN A RIVER AT TREE TOP LEVEL. THE ACFT STRUCK 3 OF 4 POWER LINES & CRASHED ON A SAND BAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78475](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78475-2017-10-24), registration cancelled 2017-10-24, S/N 12-1986, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1986
- Airframe hours: 1157
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Max R. Hoffman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1986, 4 hours before
- Departed: 3V5, FORT COLLINS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 24 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 19861227071599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861227071599A), Dec 27, 1986: Piper PA12, Gilcrest, CO, Destroyed. The aircraft struck wires while buzzing some friends. The aircraft came to rest on a river sandbar.

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.