# NTSB FTW95LA329: Piper PA-28-180, N15621, Englewood, CO, August 5, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1995, 09:16 local (15:16 UTC) - Place: Englewood, CO - Coordinates: 39.579769, -104.860221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5798&lon=-104.8602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19525 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA329 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19525/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA329 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE 6 KNOT CROSSWIND. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S DELAY IN INITIATING AN ABORTED LANDING AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE LANDED ON RUNWAY 17L, WHICH IS 10,001 FEET LONG AND 100 FEET WIDE. THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT SAID HE FAILED TO APPLY SUFFICIENT AILERON INTO THE RIGHT CROSSWIND AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE LEFT OF CENTERLINE. THE PILOT HESITATED TO INITIATE AN ABORTED LANDING BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE RUNWAY EDGE. HE THEN DECIDED TO ABORT THE LANDING AND APPLIED FULL POWER. AS THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF, THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILATOR STRUCK A TAXIWAY SIGN. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND THE AIRPLANE ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. A WEATHER OBSERVATION MADE SHORTLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT INDICATED THE WINDS WERE FROM 200 DEGREES AT 6 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL OF 48 HOURS FLIGHT TIME. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1995, at 0916 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 180, N15621, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at Englewood, Colorado. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated at Pueblo, Colorado, on August 5, 1995, approximately 0815 MDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane landed on runway 17L at Centennial Airport. The runway is 10,001 feet long and 100 feet wide. The recently certificated pilot, who reported 48 hours total flight time, said he failed to apply sufficient aileron into the right crosswind and the airplane began drifting to the left of centerline. The pilot hesitated to initiate an aborted landing because the airplane was too close to the runway edge. He then decided to abort the landing and applied full power. As the airplane lifted off, the left horizontal stabilator struck a taxiway sign. The pilot was able to land the airplane on the remaining runway. A weather observation made at 0845 hours indicated the winds were from 200 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15621](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15621), registered now, S/N 28-7305100, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7305100 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Altitudes, Inc. - Registered owner: Skyline, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO - Destination: APA, CO - Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 17L, 10,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 22 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19950805022039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950805022039A), Aug 5, 1995: Piper PA28180, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Drifted edge runway crosswind landing. Began go around. On lift off wing hit taxiway sign. Landed on rest of runway 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.