# NTSB DEN93LA037: Piper PA-30, N8210Y, Eckert, CO, April 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1993, 19:26 local (Apr 2, 1993, 02:26 UTC)
- Place: Eckert, CO
- Coordinates: 38.840782, -107.950416 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8408&lon=-107.9504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE TRUCK DURING THE LANDING. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING THE OPERATION, AND THE DRIVER'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN NOT VACATING ALL PERSONNEL FROM THE TRUCK.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, driver of vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

A PICKUP TRUCK WAS POSITIONED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY WITH ITS HEADLIGHTS ON TO GUIDE THE PILOT TO HIS UNLIGHTED PRIVATE STRIP. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS TOO LOW ON THE APPROACH, AND THE NOSE GEAR STRUCK THE TOP OF THE TRUCK CAB. THREE CHILDREN AND AN ADULT WERE SITTING IN THE TRUCK. A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILD RECEIVED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY MADE A WHEELS-UP LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8210Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8210Y-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 30-1337, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1337
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Widner, Edward D.
- Registered owner: Arbco Electronics
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 1992, 67 hours before
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Airport: 8CO5, Widner Private, runway 4, 2,200 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °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 19930401010899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930401010899A), Apr 1, 1993: Piper PA30, Hotchkiss, CO, Substantial damage. Struck pickup near runway threshold that was used to light runway. Child in pickup seriously injured.

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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