# NTSB FTW95LA274: Piper PA-28-140, N55365, Colorado Spgs, CO, July 3, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 1995, 16:17 local (22:17 UTC) - Place: Colorado Spgs, CO - Coordinates: 38.809181, -104.710151 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8092&lon=-104.7102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19479/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA274 ## Probable cause AN INADVERTENT WINDSHEAR ENCOUNTER. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - downdraft - weather condition - windshear (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF AND CLIMBED TO AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 500 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY, HE ENCOUNTERED WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS 'WIND SHEAR' OR A 'DOWNDRAFT.' HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD BUT THE DESCENT RATE FORCED HIM INTO A GRAVEL PIT AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WIND WAS FROM 230 DEGREES AT 19 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 26 KNOTS. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 8,164 FEET MSL. THE 'RATE OF CLIMB VS DENSITY ALTITUDE' PERFORMANCE CHART INDICATES THAT BETWEEN 1,950 POUNDS AND 2,150 POUNDS GROSS WEIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WILL CLIMB BETWEEN 350 AND 430 FEET PER MINUTE. THE AIRPLANE WAS ESTIMATED TO WEIGHT BETWEEN 1,950 AND 2,150 POUNDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 1995, at 1617 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N55365, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Colorado Springs, Colorado. One passenger received minor injuries, but the private pilot and another passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The following is based on the pilot/operator report and information received from airport officials. The pilot took off from runway 35L and climbed to an altitude of 200 feet. The pilot said that when he was about 500 feet from the end of the runway, he encountered what he described as a "wind shear" (he told airport officials it was a "downdraft"). The pilot attempted to land in a field but the descent rate forced him into a gravel pit and the airplane collided with terrain. At the time of the accident, the wind at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport was from 230 degrees at 19 knots, with gusts to 26 knots. Density altitude was computed to be 8,164 feet MSL (above mean sea level). According to the "Rate of Climb vs. Density Altitude" performance chart, the airplane will climb between 350 (2,150 pounds gross weight) and 430 (1,950 pounds gross weight) feet per minute. The weight of N55365 was estimated to be greater than 1,950 pounds but less than 2,150 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55365](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55365-1996-03-07), registration cancelled 1996-03-07, S/N 287325385 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7325385 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward A. Heim - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1995, 30 hours before - Departed: COS - Destination: APA, DENVER, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 100 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 19 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: COS, 1 nm away ## 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 19950703016099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950703016099A), Jul 3, 1995: Piper PA28140, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Unable climb on takeoff in high density altitude and downdrafts. Settled into gravel pit. 8000FT altitude. 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.