# NTSB DEN89LA128: Piper PA-22-150, N8065D, Rangely, CO, May 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1989, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Rangely, CO
- Coordinates: 40.080047, -108.769371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0800&lon=-108.7694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17714
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17714/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA128

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  THE HIGH WIND, GUSTS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE, AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT'S NEW HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not attained
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD HE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO RWY 24, WHEN THE STRONG/GUSTY WIND PUSHED THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. AS THE RIGHT (DOWNWIND) WHEEL DROPPED OFF THE PAVEMENT, THE LEFT WING LIFTED, THEN THE PROP & RIGHT WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND & THE ACFT WENT OVER TO AN INVERTED POSITION. THE PLT ESTD THE WIND WAS FROM 220 DEG AT 30 KTS. THIS WAS HIS 1ST FLT AFTER A WING LIFT MODIFICATION (TO EXTEND THE WING TIPS) HAD BEEN INSTALLED. HE STATED THE ACFT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ABOUT 90 DAYS & HE HAD LOST 'THE EDGE' FROM LACK OF (RECENT) FLT TIME. ALSO, HE SAID HE WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE NEW HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8065D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8065D-2013-10-28), registration cancelled 2013-10-28, S/N 22-5588, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5588
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lowell T Angle
- Departed: 4VO
- Destination: 74V, ROOSEVELT, UT
- Airport: 4V0, Rangely, runway 24, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; flight hours: 398 total, 190 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890529013189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890529013189A), May 29, 1989: Piper PA22150, Rangley, CO, Substantial damage. Wind blew aircraft off runway on taxi for takeoff. Then blew it over.

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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