# NTSB DEN88LA058: Piper PA-32-260, N1246T, Colorado Spring, CO, January 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1988, 19:00 local (Jan 28, 1988, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Coordinates: 39.049255, -104.690742 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0493&lon=-104.6907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - separation (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE CONDUCTING A PERSONAL NIGHT FLIGHT. DURING LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED LEFT AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A SNOW DRIFT. THE PLT ELECTED TO GO AROUND AND ON THE SECOND APPROACH AT TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED LEFT AND THE LEFT WING SETTLED ONTO THE SNOW DRIFT. THE WING SLID ALONG THE SNOW DRIFT FOR 300 FEET, BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE FIRST LANDING. THE PLTS RECOMMENDATION FOR PREVENTION OF THIS ACC WAS 'GO-AROUND SOONER BEFORE TOUCHDOWN IN SNOWBANK THAT SHEARED OFF LANDING GEAR.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1246T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1246T), registered now, S/N 32-7200034, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327200034
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard E. Crouse
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987
- Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Airport: OOV, Meadow Lake, runway 33, 4,150 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 148 total, 117 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °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 19880127001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880127001479A), Jan 27, 1988: Piper PA32260, Falcon, CO, Substantial damage. Drifted left of runway on approach. Gear hit a snowdrift. Aborted. Skidded left on second try. Wing hit snowbank.

## Other investigations on N1246T (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 FTW73FPA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FPA11), Sep 14, 1972: Piper PA-32 (N1246T), Dallas, TX, destroyed

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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