# NTSB DEN92LA006: Piper PA-24-250, N6815P, Ellicott, CO, October 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1991, 14:27 local (21:27 UTC)
- Place: Ellicott, CO
- Coordinates: 39.029464, -104.480628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0295&lon=-104.4806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18178/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA006

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH, AND EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED.  FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO IMC, ACCUMULATION OF WING ICE AND HIS BECOMING LOST DISORIENTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval,airman, company/operator mgmt
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER HE OBSERVED ICE ON THE WING.  HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD.  ON THE DOWNWIND LEG, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE ROAD AT 120 MPH AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE AIRPLANE SLID THROUGH A FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A HALT.  THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED. THE PILOT, WHO IS ALSO AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS BUT SUSPECTED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH BY PERSON(S) HE REFUSED TO NAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6815P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6815P-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 24-1948, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1948
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southwest Aircraft Recovery
- Registered owner: Southwest Aircraft Recovery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CO05, ELLICOTT, CO
- Destination: P10, CHANDLER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 350 total, 25 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Observed at: COS, 18 nm away

## 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 19911030048239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911030048239A), Oct 30, 1991: Piper PA24250, Ellicott, CO, Substantial damage. Encountered airframe icing,turned back unable locate airport. Landing on road engine quit. Possible induction icing

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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