# NTSB DEN92LA018: Piper PA-28-140, N455FL, Yuma, CO, December 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1991, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, CO
- Coordinates: 40.120655, -102.719345 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1207&lon=-102.7193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA018

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  FACTORS WERE:  AN IMPROPER FLARE AND LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT TIME.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING DURING A SOLO TRAINING FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT FLARED HIGH AND THEN INITIATED A GO AROUND PRIOR TO TOUCHING DOWN.  AS POWER WAS ADDED, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH TOUCHED DOWN APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A CATTLE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N455FL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N455FL), registered now, S/N 28-7125250, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7125250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Training Of The Rockies
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Destination: AKO, AKRON, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 2V6, Yuma Municipal, runway 17, 1,700 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 39 total, 35 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19911221059259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911221059259A), Dec 21, 1991: Piper PA28140, Yuma, CO, Substantial damage. Leveled off too high on landing. Began go around. Nose went up to left. Came down hit fence. P factor and trim.

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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