# NTSB DEN90LA034: Piper PA-38-112, N9570T, Firestone, CO, December 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1989, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Firestone, CO
- Coordinates: 40.109554, -104.929908 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1096&lon=-104.9299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA034

## Probable cause

PREMATURE LIFTOFF BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED.

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A SNOW COVERED GRASS STRIP. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, GAINED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET OF ALTITUDE, 'STALLED' AND CRASHED. THE PILOT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE DID NOT INTEND TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT TO THE FAA OR NTSB. THE IDENTITY OF THE AIRPLANE OWNER, PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT AND THE INTENDED DESTINATION ALSO REMAIN UNKNOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9570T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9570T-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 38-78A0133, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3878A0133
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown/Not Reported
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: C058, Fredrick-Firestone, runway 17, 3,000 × 30 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19891226053369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891226053369A), Dec 26, 1989: Piper PA38112, Frederick, CO, Substantial damage. Unknown owner and pilot stalled the unregistered aircraft on takeoff dropped to runway ran thru fence. Hit aircraft.

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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