# NTSB DEN89LA119: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N9147Y, Durango, CO, May 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1989, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.26939, -107.880241 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2694&lon=-107.8802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA119

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING AND INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE CROSSWIND AND TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - pole

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE SET UP A LONG FINAL APP IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING ON RWY 19 AT ANIMAS AIRPARK. HE SAID AS HE CROSSED THE END OF THE RWY AT ABOUT 60 FT AGL HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ACFT DROPPING TO NEAR GROUND LEVEL AND DRIFTING TO THE LT TO AN AREA BESIDE THE RWY. HE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND AND DURING THE GO-AROUND THE RT WING COLLIDED WITH A WINDSOCK POLE. THE ACFT REMAINED AIRBORNE AND THE PLT FLEW TO ANOTHER NEARBY AIRPORT FOR LANDING. THE FBO AT ANIMAS AIRPARK SAID THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN TO THE WEST OF THE AIRPORT SOMETIMES RESULTS IN TURBULENCE IN THE VIC OF THE AIRPORT WHICH IS NOT PREDICTABLE OR NOTICEABLE AT GROUND LEVEL. THE ELEV OF THE AIRPORT IS 6690 FT. WITH A TEMP OF 60 F, THE DA WOULD BE 8000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9147Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9147Y-1991-07-03), registration cancelled 1991-07-03, S/N 28R8531015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-B531015
- Airframe hours: 1060
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Western Aviation
- Registered owner: Maw, Ralph B
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1989, 36 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: 5CO0
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5C00, Animas Airpark, runway 19, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 24 in this make and model, 169 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19890505015529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890505015529A), May 5, 1989: Piper PA28RT201T, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Drifted off runway on landing flare,left wing hit windsock pole. Remained aloft and landed main airport. Spar bent.

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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