# NTSB DEN92LA008: Piper PA-28-161, N9811C, Greeley, CO, November 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1991, 17:05 local (Nov 18, 1991, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Location: 40.4233° N, 104.7091° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greeley, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4233&lon=-104.7091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA008

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB DUE TO A BENT AND LOOSE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL MECHANISM.

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB, FOLLOWING TAKEOFF AFTER CONDUCTING SEVERAL TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER.  FLIGHT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER CONTROL AND LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A FIELD.  DURING LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A FRESHLY PLOWED AREA WHICH WAS SOFT AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - carburetor heat control,bellcrank - bent (cause)
  - carburetor heat control,linkage - loose (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9811C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9811C-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 28-7816532, built 1978 (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: 78-16532
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: P.C. Flyers
- Airport: GXY, Weld County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 540 total, 10 in this make and model, 398 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots, gusting 1
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GXY, 3 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 19911117052059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911117052059A), Nov 17, 1991: Piper PA28161, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Landed in soft field and nosed over. Carb heat cable kinked and loose. Heat half on.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.