# NTSB DEN92LA075: Piper PA-28-200R, N75350, Nederland, CO, July 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1992, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Nederland, CO
- Coordinates: 39.959629, -105.500015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9596&lon=-105.5000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA075

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  A FACTOR WAS: NO SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AT 11,500 FEET OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH.  THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE AND SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A CLEARING IN A SMALL VALLEY.  DURING THE FINAL PORTION OF THE APPROACH, THE ENGINE SMOOTHED OUT; HOWEVER, THE VALLEY WAS TOO SMALL FOR AN EXIT TO BE ACCOMPLISHED.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD, BUT A WING TIP CAUGHT AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED INTO TREES.  NO MECHANICAL OR SYSTEM FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING AIRCRAFT EXAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75350](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75350-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 28R-7635317, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-200R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7635317
- Airframe hours: 6547
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walker, Merle L.
- Registered owner: Walker, Merle L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1991, 132 hours before
- Departed: 1V5, BOULDER, CO
- Destination: U42, SALT LAKE, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °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 19920724027499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920724027499A), Jul 24, 1992: Piper PA28R200, Nederland, CO, Substantial damage. Reported power loss. Encountered downdraft in valley. Engine started, unable climb out. No engine defects found.

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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