# NTSB DEN90LA049: Piper PA-28-161, N9172Y, Broomfield, CO, January 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1990, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.939918, -105.060699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9399&lon=-105.0607&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): 17886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH SEVERE TURBULENCE DURING LANDING, AND HIS FAILURE TO DIVERT TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT AFTER BECOMING AWARE OF THE WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LOW LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - unavailable, other government personnel
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE LANDED, THE PLANE WAS STRUCK BY SEVERE TURBULENCE AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. HE SAID THE PLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT AND RAN PARALLEL TO THE RUNWAY, STRIKING A DIRECTIONAL SIGN AND 3 RUNWAY LIGHTS. THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN THE PLANE STRUCK THE RAISED EDGE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE PLANE CAME TO REST IN A DITCH BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND 'ALPHA' TAXIWAY. THE CONTROL TOWER WAS REPORTING SEVERE TURBULENCE IN THE LOCAL AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9172Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9172Y), registered now, S/N 28-8616034, built 1985 (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: 28-8616034
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D39A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hoffman Pilot Center
- Airport: BJC, Jefferson County, runway 11L, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 74 total, 4 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 70 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 19900130001359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900130001359A), Jan 30, 1990: Piper PA28161, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Encountered severe turbulence on approach. On level off lost control, ran off parallel to runway,hit objects.

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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