# NTSB DEN88FA121: Piper PA-28-180, N9728J, Rock Springs, WY, June 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1988, 11:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Rock Springs, WY
- Coordinates: 41.590305, -109.21997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5903&lon=-109.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - ignition system,magneto - output low (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - attempted (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE ON THE SECOND LEG OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT THE PLT INFORMED THE FSS LOCATED ON THE ARPT THAT HE WAS RETURNING. THE FSS TECHNICIAN ON DUTY OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN FINAL AT AN ABNORMALLY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. THE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED RADIO CONTACT AND WHEN UNSUCCESSFUL SOUNDED THE CRASH ALARM. THE ACFT WAS FOUND APX 1500 FT SHORT OF THE RWY IN A GULLY. NO INDICATION OF DIFFICULTY WAS RADIOED BY THE PLT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED INADEQUATELY MAINTAINED MAGNETOES. THE PLT REPORTED TOTAL MEMORY LOSS OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9728J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9728J-1991-11-15), registration cancelled 1991-11-15, S/N 283921 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 3921
- Airframe hours: 4008
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tottenhoff, D.R./Jahr, L.W.
- Registered owner: Tottenhoff, D.R./Jahr, L.W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1987, 131 hours before
- Departed: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Destination: CYS, CHEYENNE, WY
- Airport: RKS, Rock Springs, runway 27, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 371 total, 182 in this make and model, 328 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKS, 2 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 19880604017799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880604017799A), Jun 4, 1988: Piper PA28180, Rock Springs, WY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Tried to return due to rough engine and possible RPM loss. Caught a wing turning low final. Crashed. Bad magnetoes.

## Other investigations on N9728J (1)

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 DEN67F0288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN67F0288), Jun 9, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N9728J), Albuquerque, NM, 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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