# NTSB DEN93FA012: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39683, Kersey, CO, November 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1992, 00:25 local (07:25 UTC)
- Place: Kersey, CO
- Coordinates: 40.380668, -104.559471 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3807&lon=-104.5595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93FA012

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO STRUCTURAL ICING.  FACTORS WERE:  ICING CONDITIONS, AND FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN IFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO THE AIRPORT WHERE THE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT WERE BASED, THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED TO DESCEND, AND CLEARED FOR AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO THE PLANNED DESTINATION, AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO AN ALTITUDE BELOW RADAR COVERAGE CAPABILITY.  WHEN THE FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT CLOSED, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS LATER, IN A FIELD APPROXIMATELY NINE MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE DARK NIGHT, AND 600 FEET BROKEN CLOUDS WITH FOG.  STRUCTURAL ICING CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT, AND WERE FORECAST IN THE WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39683](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39683-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 32R-7887141, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887141
- Airframe hours: 2341
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-SIAD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kevin K. Opp
- Registered owner: Kevin K. Opp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1992
- Departed: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Destination: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GXY, Greeley-Weld County, runway 9, 6,210 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,545 total, 675 in this make and model, 1,140 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GXY, 11 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 19921120052839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921120052839A), Nov 20, 1992: Piper PA32RT300T, Greeley, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wreckage indicates a loss of control. Was approaching area for ILS approach.

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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