# NTSB DEN89LA171: Piper PA-28-161, N21170, Alpine, WY, July 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1989, 22:15 local (Jul 15, 1989, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Alpine, WY
- Coordinates: 43.160945, -111.009117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1609&lon=-111.0091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA171

## Probable cause

PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND AT AN UNLIGHTED AIRPORT AT NIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED LONG AND OVERRAN THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport/facilities - not operating (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDING ON AN UNLIGHTED, 5700 X 50 FT, ASPHALT RWY AT NIGHT. THE ACFT OVERRAN THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH WHICH BROKE OFF THE LT MAIN GEAR AND DAMAGED THE WING. THE AIRPORT DIRECTORIES SHOW THE AIRPORT IS CLOSED AT NIGHT. THE ACDT OCCURRED AT 2215 AND THE SUN HAD SET AT ABOUT 2105.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21170](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21170-2018-01-16), registration cancelled 2018-01-16, S/N 28-7916029, 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: 28-7916029
- Airframe hours: 3350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: American Air Academy
- Registered owner: Larry Wright
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1989, 97 hours before
- Departed: AFO, AFTON, WY
- Destination: 46U
- Airport: 46U, Alpine, runway 13, 5,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total, 24 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19890714040859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890714040859A), Jul 14, 1989: Piper PA28161, Alpine, WY, Substantial damage. Landed at night on a unlighted runway and ran off end into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N21170 (3)

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 SEA93LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA215), Oct 1, 1993: Piper PA-28-161 (N21170), Tooele, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FENCE.
- [NTSB SEA81IA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81IA001), Oct 5, 1980: Piper PA-28 (N21170), Elk City, ID, incident, minor damage
- [NTSB SEA80FAMS4](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FAMS4), Aug 31, 1980: Piper PA-24 (N21170), Missing Aircraft, destroyed, 1 fatal

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.