# NTSB DEN91LA125: Piper PA-24-180, N16WW, Broomfield, CO, September 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1991, 15:24 local (21:24 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.939426, -105.060241 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9394&lon=-105.0602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA125

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL AND HIS MISJUDGED FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION POWER LOSS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - object - wire,static
  - object - fence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE TOOK OFF FROM FRONT RANGE AIRPORT, WATKINS, CO, EN ROUTE TO JEFFCO AIRPORT, BROOMFIELD, CO, A FLIGHT DURATION OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, WITH 12 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD.  WHILE ON BASE LEG AT JEFFCO, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  WHILE TURNING ONTO FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH GUY WIRES AND CRASHED.  THE PASSENGER TOLD THE AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANAGER THEY HAD 'RUN OUT OF GAS.'  EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS.  THE FUEL SYSTEM HAD NOT BEEN COMPROMISED.  THERE WERE NO FUEL STAINS ON THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16WW-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 24-165, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-165
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul L. And Eddie E. Whistle
- Registered owner: Paul L. And Eddie E. Whistle
- Departed: FTG, WATKINS, CO
- Airport: BJC, Jeffco, runway 29, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,600 total, 150 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- 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 19910908038819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910908038819A), Sep 8, 1991: Piper PA24180, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on landing aproach. Tried to land on highway but struck powerline. Fuel tanks were empty.

## Other investigations on N16WW (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC95LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA134), Jun 28, 1995: Piper PA-24-180 (N16WW), Morehead, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to assure that an inadequate oil supply was available fot the flight.

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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