# NTSB DEN87LA172: Piper PA-38-112, N25655, Pagosa Springs, CO, July 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1987, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Pagosa Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 37.240032, -107.030288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2400&lon=-107.0303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT AND A FRIEND DEPARTED AZTEC, NEW MEXICO, WITH THE INTENTION OF FLYING OVER WOLF CREEK PASS EN ROUTE TO COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO. HE SAID THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB OVER THE PASS AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE MANUFACTURERS PLT OP MANUAL INDICATED THAT THE ACFT HAD A ZERO CLIMB RATE FOR THE CONDITIONS REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCD AT THE ELEVATION OF THE PASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N25655 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0039
- Airframe hours: 2245
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Durango Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 1987, 29 hours before
- Departed: Q19, AZTEC, NM
- Destination: COS, COLORADO SPNGS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 419 total, 27 in this make and model, 293 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19870703076609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870703076609A), Jul 3, 1987: Piper PA38112, Pagosa Springs, CO, Substantial damage. Hit trees in wolf creek pass. Unable to climb or turn around due to downdraft and density altitude in the pass.

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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