# NTSB DEN90DTE08: Piper PA-25-235, N9571P, Idalia, CO, September 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1990, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Idalia, CO
- Coordinates: 39.699882, -102.299705 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6999&lon=-102.2997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90DTE08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90DTE08

## Probable cause

THE ENCOUNTER WITH AN UNFAVORABLE WIND, A DUST DEVIL. A FACTOR WAS THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL, AFTER RETURNING FROM A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A DUST DEVIL. THIS ENCOUNTER CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER 45 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND IT STRUCK A FENCE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9571P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9571P-2016-03-11), registration cancelled 2016-03-11, S/N 25-7405681, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7405681
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Toberman Flying Service, Inc.
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Toberman, runway 18, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,895 total, 1,357 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 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 19900911039109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900911039109A), Sep 11, 1990: Piper PA25235, Idalia, CO, Substantial damage. Encountered a dust devil on landing,lost control and veered off runway.

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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