# NTSB DEN88LA144: Piper PA-32-260, N4878S, Colorado Spring, CO, July 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1988, 18:50 local (Jul 3, 1988, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Location: 38.8058° N, 104.7008° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI (COS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8058&lon=-104.7008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT AND PAX DEPARTED ST. LOUIS AND STOPPED TWICE ENROUTE DUE TO WX. THE PLT WAS GIVEN LANDING CLEARANCE ON RWY 17 AT COLORADO SPRINGS AND THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 190 DEGREES AT 12 KTS. WITNESSES AT THE ARPT STATED N4878S 'PORPOISED' SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LANDING BEFORE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT WAS RECENTLY CERTIFICATED AND HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 66 HOURS WITH 18 HOURS IN THE PA-32-260. THE PLT WAS INVOLVED IN A SIMILAR ACCIDENT IN KANSAS SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THIS ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4878S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4878S), registered now, S/N 32-7100002, built 1971 (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 O-540-E4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-e4b5) (registry code 42342, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32 7100002
- Airframe hours: 4396
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cunningham, Charles
- Registered owner: C. Cunningham/J. Brasser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1988, 21 hours before
- Departed: TOP, TOPEKA, KS
- Destination: COS
- Airport: COS, Colorado Springs Muni., runway 17, 11,021 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 18 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COS

## 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 19880702025029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880702025029A), Jul 2, 1988: Piper PA32260, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Impacts broke off the nose gear. Aircraft then skidded off the runway.

## Other investigations on N4878S (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 MKC79FCA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FCA10), Feb 27, 1979: Piper PA-32 (N4878S), Farmington, MO, 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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