# NTSB DEN99LA167: Piper PA-32-300, N323DT, Rifle, CO, September 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1999, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Rifle, CO - Coordinates: 39.530452, -107.769783 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5305&lon=-107.7698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47419/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA167 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing roll. Factors were the strong crosswind weather conditions, and the runway sign that the airplane impacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said weather conditions along his route of flight to Las Vegas, Nevada, had deteriorated, and he wanted to land to let the weather pass. He said that the airport's unicom reported winds at 340 degrees for 30 knots, gusting to 35 knots. A witness said that the pilot made one attempt to land on runway 26, then performed a go-around. The witness said weather conditions were deteriorating, and he observed the airplane make a second attempt to land. The pilot said that he landed on the left side of the runway, and a 'gust seemed to have kicked the aircraft further to the left [and] struck a runway sign.' ## Factual narrative On September 19, 1999, at 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N323DT, was substantially damaged during landing roll at Garfield County Regional Airport, Rifle, Colorado. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight that originated from Aspen, Colorado, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, weather conditions along his route of flight to Las Vegas, Nevada, had deteriorated, and he wanted to land to let the weather pass. He said that the airport's unicom reported winds at 340 degrees at 30 knots, gusting to 35 knots. A witness said that the pilot made one attempt to land on runway 26, then performed a go-around. The witness said weather conditions were deteriorating, and he observed the airplane make a second attempt to land. The pilot said that he landed on the left side of the runway, and a "gust seemed to have kicked the aircraft further to the left [and] struck a runway sign." The left main landing gear separated from the airplane, the engine mount was bent, and the engine firewall was wrinkled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N323DT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N323DT), registered now, S/N 32-7740024, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-540-series) (registry code 17051, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7740024 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Rood - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ASE, ASPEN, CO - Destination: RIL, RIFLE, CO - Airport: RIL, Garfield County Regional, runway 26, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 155 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 24 knots, gusting 31 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RIL ## 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 19990919026869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990919026869A), Sep 19, 1999: Piper PA32300, Rifle, CO, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 19, 1999, at 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N323DT, was substantially damaged during landing at Garfield county regional… 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.