# NTSB DEN89LA196: Piper PA-28-235, N56654, Dove Creek, CO, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Dove Creek, CO
- Coordinates: 37.759365, -108.900505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7594&lon=-108.9005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA196

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, UPHILL SLOPING RUNWAY, FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST AND USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY, AND THE RISING TERRAIN AND OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE) BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible

## Analysis

THE PLT & 3 PSGRS WERE BEGINNING A X-COUNTRY FLT.  THE PLT SAID HE MADE A 'QUICK OUTSIDE CHECK' OF THE AIRPLANE THAT DID NOT INCLUDE A FUEL SUMP DRAIN.  HE TAXIED ONTO RWY 1, WHICH SLOPED UPWARD TO THE NORTH. HE ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE CALM.  THE PLT SAID HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF RUN 300 FT DOWN THE RUNWAY, MADE A 'RUNNING' MAGNETO CHECK, BUT HE DID NOT MAKE A CARBURETOR HEAT CHECK.  HE SAID THE PLANE ONLY CLIMBED ABOUT 30 FT AGL.  HE NOTICED IT WAS NOT CLIMBING AS FAST AS THE TERRAIN ROSE, SO HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD TO AVOID POWER LINES IN THE FLT PATH.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING HIT THE GND & THE LANDING GEAR WAS TORN OFF.  THE DOOR JAMMED, BUT A PASSERBY HELPED THE OCCUPANTS FROM THE CABIN. AN INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.  DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 8700 FT.  ABOUT 37 MI WEST, THE WIND FROM 200 DEG AT 5 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56654](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56654-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 28-7410019, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 88-7410019
- Airframe hours: 2709
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Corlett, David L., doing business as Romer Mercantile & Grain Co.
- Registered owner: Romer Mercantile & Grain Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 98 hours before
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Airport: runway 1, 4,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,807 total, 5,807 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: 4BL, 37 nm away

## 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 19890819030509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819030509A), Aug 19, 1989: Piper PA28235, Dove Creek, CO, Substantial damage. Unable to climb over wires and rising terrain aborted climb. Wing stalled and was severed by ground impact landing.

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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