# NTSB DEN92LA042: Piper PA-24-180, N6863P, Longmont, CO, March 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1992, 07:37 local (14:37 UTC)
- Place: Longmont, CO
- Coordinates: 40.159488, -105.030632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1595&lon=-105.0306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. FACTORS WERE:  A SNOW BANK ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY, AND GUSTY CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE LANDING FLARE WAS DESCRIBED AS TO HIGH AND THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT.  ON TOUCH DOWN THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED AND ENCOUNTERED A SLIGHT CROSSWIND OR 'GUST OF WIND.'  WHEN THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN AGAIN, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT, COLLIDING WITH A SNOW BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6863P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6863P-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 24-1999, built 1960 (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: 24-1999
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pete Peters
- Registered owner: Pete Peters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: LAR, LARAMIE, WY
- Airport: 2V2, Vance Brand, runway 29, 4,800 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 176 total, 130 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 16 nm away

## Other investigations on N6863P (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 UNK65X0935](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0935), Dec 6, 1964: Piper PA24 (N6863P), Bedford, IN, substantial damage

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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