# NTSB DEN89FA017: Piper PA-28-140, N3913K, Garfield, CO, October 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1988, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Garfield, CO
- Location: 38.5493° N, 106.2893° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garfield, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5493&lon=-106.2893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA017

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3913K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3913K-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 2823781 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23781
- Airframe hours: 2115
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shippen, John L.
- Registered owner: John Lee Shippen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1988, 79 hours before
- Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Destination: SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,075 total, 300 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 16 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 26 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 25 °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 19881018046909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881018046909A), Oct 18, 1988: Piper PA28140, Garfield, CO, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Encountered severe downdraft trying to cross a mountain pass. Struck trees and burned.

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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