# NTSB FTW94LA120: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N881GK, Englewood, CO, April 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1994, 13:17 local (19:17 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.579952, -104.85968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5800&lon=-104.8597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19029
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19029/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA120

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT TOOK OFF AT 1210 WITH 90 GALS OF FUEL ONBOARD. AS THE PILOTS WERE PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE CFI ASSUMED CONTROL AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN AN AREA WEST OF THE RUNWAY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR A FENCE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE FENCE, THEN COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. THE ENGINE AND ACCESSORIES WERE LATER FUNCTIONALLY CHECKED AND TESTED; NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

## Factual narrative

On April 8, 1994, at 1317 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N881GK, was destroyed during a forced landing near Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado.  The certified flight instructor (CFI) and commercial pilot receiving instruction sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  The airplane had 90 gallons of fuel onboard prior to its 1210 departure.  After performing various maneuvers in the practice area, the pilots returned to the airport for takeoffs and landings.  The second pilot said that the engine was not producing sufficient power while on the crosswind leg.  The CFI noted the throttle was fully open but the engine was producing only 2400 RPM and 30 inches of manifold pressure.  He assumed control of the airplane while the pilot receiving instruction made sure the fuel pump was on, switched to the left tank, and advised the tower of their predicament.  The CFI attempted to land west of the runway but the airplane struck a fence and impacted terrain in a field about 1,000 feet north of the departure end of runway 35L.

The engine and accessories were later functionally checked and tested.  No discrepancies were found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N881GK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N881GK-1997-02-12), registration cancelled 1997-02-12, S/N 32R7887175 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887175
- Airframe hours: 2397
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: P.C. Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Burman, John L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 19, 1994, 16 hours before
- Departed: APA
- Destination: APA, CO
- Airport: APA, Centennial

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,233 total, 6 in this make and model, 4,932 as pilot in command, 101 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA

## 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 19940408000019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940408000019A), Apr 8, 1994: Piper PA32RT300T, Denver, CO, Destroyed. Lost power on climbout. Struck fence and terrain. Cause power loss undetermined.

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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