# NTSB DEN87FA178: Piper PA-24-250, N7858P, Hayden, CO, July 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1987, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Hayden, CO
- Coordinates: 40.479927, -107.259155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4799&lon=-107.2592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA178

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise

## Analysis

THE PLT AND TWO PAX WERE PARTICIPATING IN THE DENVER, CO TO JACKPOT, NV AIR CLASSIC. THE ACFT DEPARTED, DESTINED FOR ROCK SPRINGS, WY. THE PLT WAS BELIEVED BY A FRIEND TO HAVE BEEN NAVIGATING WITH THE USE OF A RECENTLY INSTALLED RNAV SYSTEM. THE PLT RADIOED A FRIEND FLYING IN THE CLASSIC THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED 'HEAVY RAIN' IN THE HAYDEN AREA. WITNESSES STATED THE HIGH TERRAIN WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECH MALFUNCTION OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7858P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7858P-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 24-3081, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 243081
- Airframe hours: 7044
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: James W. Thetford
- Registered owner: James W Thetford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1987, 74 hours before
- Departed: 1W1, WATKINS, CO
- Destination: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBS, 22 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 19870711034429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870711034429A), Jul 11, 1987: Piper PA24250, Hayden, CO, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck trees on a cloud obscured ridge in level flight. Set RNAV way point to fly direct in place of airway.

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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