# NTSB DEN99LA128: Piper PA-22-150, N4540A, Limon, CO, July 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1999, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Limon, CO - Coordinates: 39.259864, -103.679954 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2599&lon=-103.6800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46918 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46918/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of the wrong runway for takeoff. Factors were a direct tailwind and high density altitude that deteriorated the airplane's climb capability, and unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis One notch of flaps (half flaps) were used for the takeoff from runway 34. METAR wind was from 160 degrees at 6 knots. As the airplane passed over the departure end of the runway, it began to 'sag.' The pilot made a forced landing in a field. To avoid a ditch, he intentionally forced the airplane onto the ground, crossing the controls. Density altitude was computed to be 7,690 feet mean sea level. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 1999, approximately 0900 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N4540A, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after taking off from Limon, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured but a private pilot-rated passenger, the operator of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the business flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had originated minutes before the accident. According to the pilot's accident report, trip legs were swapped between the two pilots. The accident occurred on the leg during which the owner-operator was serving as a pilot-rated passenger. One notch of flaps (half flaps) were used for the takeoff from runway 34. As the airplane passed over the departure end of the runway, it began to "sag." He initiated a right turn to take "advantage of the [climb] prop[eller]." Airspeed and engine power dropped to 70 mph and 2,000 rpm, respectively, and the airplane began to sink. The pilot made a forced landing in a field. To avoid a ditch, he intentionally forced the airplane onto the ground crossing the controls. Upon exiting the airplane, the pilot noted "a 10 to 15 knot wind with gusts from the south. . .I suspect the 10 to 15 knot tailwind and gusts were the main factor, or maybe even a thermal." In a telephone interview with the owner-operator, he said the engine sounded normal to him throughout the short flight, and he did not believe it had lost power. According to the 0855 Limon METAR observation, the wind was from 160 degrees (direct tailwind) at 6 knots. The temperature was 28 degrees C. (82.4 degrees F.), and the altimeter setting was 30.20 inches of mercury. Limon Municipal Airport is 5,365 feet msl (above mean sea level). Pressure and density altitudes were computed to be 5,085 and 7,690 feet msl, respectively. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4540A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4540A), registered now, S/N 22-3849 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-3849 - Airframe hours: 2300 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin T. Mcdonald - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 1998, 80 hours before - Departed: LIC, CO - Destination: LAA, LAMAR, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,685 total, 394 in this make and model, 2,582 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LIC ## 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 19990724045029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990724045029A), Jul 24, 1999: Piper PA22150, Limon, CO, No damage. (-23) On taxi out after refueling, pilot and copilot noticed the wind sock to indicate a light and variable wind estimating to be about 3-4 m.p.h. and… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.