# NTSB DEN89LA203: Piper PA-28-180, N7111W, Dutch John, UT, August 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1989, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Dutch John, UT
- Coordinates: 40.939704, -109.189353 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9397&lon=-109.1894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA203

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE UNFAVORABLE (VARIABLE/GUSTY) WIND CONDITION, AND THE HIGH VEGETATION AND TREE BESIDE THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE & A FRIEND WERE TAKING OFF ON A SOFT, DIRT RWY WITH AN ESTIMATED 23 KNOT HEADWIND. HE SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, THE PLANE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND THAT HE ESTIMATED AS 50 KTS. THE PLANE TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH RIGHT RUDDER. HE SAID HE PULLED THE NOSE OFF THE GROUND AS THE PLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT. THE PLANE FLEW OVER SAGE BRUSH BESIDE THE RUNWAY, BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK A 10 FT HIGH CEDAR TREE ABOUT 8 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PLANE THEN HIT THE GROUND & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7111W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7111W-1992-10-16), registration cancelled 1992-10-16, S/N 28902 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-902
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas E. Boone
- Departed: 33U
- Destination: 36U, HEBER, UT
- Airport: 33U, Dutch John, runway 25, 4,400 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 116 total, 116 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 23 knots, gusting 50
- 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 19890830033139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890830033139A), Aug 30, 1989: Piper PA28180, Dutch John, UT, Substantial damage. Tried to depart into severe gusty surface winds. Veered into crosswind,lifted off too early,hit a tree and crashed.

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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