# NTSB DEN87LA223: Piper PA-11, N4700M, Longmont, CO, August 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1987, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Longmont, CO
- Coordinates: 40.170799, -105.109626 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1708&lon=-105.1096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA223

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - approach light/navaid (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS RENTED ACFT ON RUNWAY 29 AT LONGMONT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT WHEN THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED, VEERED OFF OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A VASI LIGHT, AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4700M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4700M), registered now, S/N 11-209, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11 209
- Airframe hours: 5915
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boulder Flying Service
- Registered owner: Johnny D Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1986, 90 hours before
- Departed: IV5, BOULDER, CO
- Destination: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO
- Airport: 2V2, Longmount Munic., runway 29, 4,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,094 total, 3 in this make and model, 957 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19870820046999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870820046999A), Aug 20, 1987: Piper PA11, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control of aircraft on landing rollout. Veered off runway. Struck a VASI light and nosed over.

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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