# NTSB DEN87LA221: Piper PA-28R-180, N7494J, Steamboat Sprin, CO, August 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1987, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Steamboat Sprin, CO
- Location: 40.4756° N, 106.8229° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Steamboat Springs, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4756&lon=-106.8229&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17299/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,total

## Analysis

N7494J TOOK OFF FROM A HIGH ALT ARPT AND CLIMBED IN THE VIC OF THE ARPT TO 9500 FEET BEFORE PROCEEDING ON COURSE. UPON APPROACHING HIGH TERRAIN THE PLT REALIZED HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALT TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN AND WAS IN A VALLEY TOO NARROW TO TURN AROUND. HE WAS HOLDING THE OVERRIDE TO DEACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC LANDING GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURB AND HIS HAND CAME OFF THE OVERRIDE. THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED AND THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED. AT THAT POINT THE PLT DECIDED AN OFF ARPT FORCED LANDING WAS NECESSARY AND SELECTED A MOUNTAIN MEADOW. DURING THE LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7494J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R30855
- Airframe hours: 4535
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clipper Club, Inc
- Registered owner: Clipper Club, Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1986
- Destination: LAR, LARAMIE, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,353 total, 800 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19870817045809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870817045809A), Aug 17, 1987: Piper PA28R180, Steamboat Sprin, CO, Destroyed. The aircraft hit rising terrain. The density altitude was high. Allowed auto gear to extend reducing climb ability.

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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