# NTSB FTW94LA103: Piper PA-28-140B, Montrose, CO, March 17, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1994, 17:45 local (Mar 17, 1994, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Montrose, CO
- Coordinates: 38.489398, -107.870452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4894&lon=-107.8705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CLIMB RAPIDLY ENOUGH TO CLEAR A RIDGE LINE. HE RECOGNIZED THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO CLEAR THE RISING TERRAIN, 10 NAUTICAL MILES FROM HIS DEPARTURE POINT, SO HE ELECTED TO 'CRASH LAND' ON THE UPSLOPE. NO ANOMALIES WERE FOUND ON THE AIRCRAFT.

## Factual narrative

On March 16, 1994, at 1745 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28- 140B, Canadian registry NCGUFK, was destroyed while maneuvering near Montrose, Colorado.  The private pilot sustained serious injuries and the two passengers sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

According to the passenger, upon taking off from Montrose County Airport, the aircraft did not gain altitude and impacted a ridge line.  She further stated that the pilot recognized that the airplane would not clear the ridge line, so he decided to "crash land" the aircraft.  The aircraft impacted the forward slope 150 feet below the crest.  The ridge line was about 10 nautical miles from the departure point.

An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have prevented the airplane from climbing.

Repeated attempts to obtain a Pilot/Operator Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were thwarted by the pilot's inability to complete it due to his injuries.

The aircraft was released to the owner.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGUFK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25203
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Page, Daniele
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTJ, 10 nm away

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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