# NTSB DEN87LA138: Piper PA-24-250, N7744P, Monticello, UT, May 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1987, 18:15 local (May 31, 1987, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, UT
- Coordinates: 37.980499, -109.289878 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9805&lon=-109.2899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,line - deteriorated (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE PAX SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING.  THE PLT CIRCLED THE ARPT AND DETERMINED THE FLT COULD CONTINUE.  A SHORT TIME LATER THE BURNING SMELL RETURNED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE.  THE PLT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD AND THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENG REVEALED THE FUEL PRESSURE LINE BETWEEN THE CARBURETOR AND THE FIREWALL WAS IN A STATE OF DETERIORATION AND HAD SEVERAL HOLES IN IT.  THE AREA OF DETERIORATION OCCURRED TO A PORTION OF THE LINE THAT IS EXPOSED TO HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7744P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7744P-2012-07-19), registration cancelled 2012-07-19, S/N 24-2959, built 1961 (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: 24-2959
- Airframe hours: 4244
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-AID5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Campbell
- Registered owner: James Harrington/D. Getchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1986, 62 hours before
- Departed: BDG, LAKE POWELL, UT
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 491 total, 103 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870530021209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870530021209A), May 30, 1987: Piper PA24250, Monticello, UT, Substantial damage. Leaky deteriorated fuel line caused smoke in cabin. Crashed on emergency landing in a rough field.

## Other investigations on N7744P (3)

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.

- [NTSB DEN74FTE03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74FTE03), Jul 6, 1973: Piper PA-24 (N7744P), Littleton, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN68A0011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0011), Aug 4, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N7744P), Longmont, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN66F0257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66F0257), Mar 28, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N7744P), Broomfield, CO, substantial damage

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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