# NTSB DEN87FA110: Piper PA-23, N3231P, Craig, CO, April 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1987, 16:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Craig, CO
- Coordinates: 40.520839, -107.55072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5208&lon=-107.5507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA110

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly - worn (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - failure,total (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,recordkeeping - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PLT AND HIS WIFE WERE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLT TO VISIT RELATIVES IN NORTH CAROLINA. SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DEPART CRAIG-MOFFET AIRPORT WITH THE ENGINE(S) RUNNING ROUGH AND USING ALMOST THE ENTIRE RUNWAY TO GET AIRBORNE. ONCE AIRBORNE THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO GAIN ATTITUDE, STRUCK SOME TREES, AND CRASHED INTO AN IRRIGATION DITCH. POST ACCIDENT  INSPECTION REVEALED A WORN ENGINE WITH DEFICIENT SPARK PLUGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3231P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3231P-1997-01-24), registration cancelled 1997-01-24, S/N 231174 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1174
- Airframe hours: 3926
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richad W. Gawer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 8, 1986, 98 hours before
- Destination: RDU, RALEIGH DURHAM, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 308° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Observed at: CAG, 1 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 19870421076649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870421076649A), Apr 21, 1987: Piper STCPA23, Craig, CO, Destroyed. Collided with trees on climbout. Not rated for multi engine aircraft. Using excessive oil. Turbo chargers removed.

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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