# NTSB DEN92LA065: Piper PA-32RT-300, N109RH, Leadville, CO, June 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1992, 15:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.240291, -106.290344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2403&lon=-106.2903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA065

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  FACTORS INCLUDED:  THE PILOT ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO LIFT OFF PREMATURELY, AND GUSTY CROSSWINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY 16 WITH FLAPS SET AT 25 DEGREES. PRIOR TO REACHING ROTATION SPEED, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND A CROSSWIND DRIFTED IT LEFT.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A RUNWAY MARKER, BECAME AIRBORNE, HIT A TREE, IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND SLID INTO A RAVINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N109RH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N109RH-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 32R-7885070, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7885070
- Airframe hours: 2327
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Strub, Richard D.
- Registered owner: Strub, Richard D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: LXV
- Destination: MTJ, MONTROSE, CO
- Airport: LXV, Lake County, runway 16, 5,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,194 total, 422 in this make and model, 1,194 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920630022749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920630022749A), Jun 30, 1992: Piper PA32RT300, Leadville, CO, Destroyed. Premature lift off,bounced and drifted off runway due gusty crosswind. Hit a marker and a tree, slid into a ravine.

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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