# NTSB DEN88LA078: Piper PA-28-161, N9419C, Aurora, CO, February 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1988, 18:30 local (Feb 14, 1988, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, CO
- Location: 39.7294° N, 104.8319° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aurora, CO, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7294&lon=-104.8319&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9419C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9419C-2006-11-14), registration cancelled 2006-11-14, S/N 28-7816474, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816474
- Airframe hours: 3826
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Midfield Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1987, 47 hours before
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: O1V, AURORA, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: O1V, Aurora, runway 32, 5,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 10 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880213004839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880213004839A), Feb 13, 1988: Piper PA28161, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. High approach. Ballooned and lost control. Landed with one gear off runway in snow. Plane nosed over on broken gear.

## Other investigations on N9419C (2)

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 DFW06CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA132), May 21, 2006: Piper PA-28-161 (N9419C), Marietta, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation.
- [NTSB DFW05LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA054), Jan 8, 2005: Piper PA-28-161 (N9419C), Decatur, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance and the instructor's inadequate supervision. Contributing factors were the prevailing dark night conditions, and the power line.

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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