# NTSB FTW95LA330: Piper PA-28-180, N7415W, Hudson, CO, August 6, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1995, 11:43 local (17:43 UTC)
- Place: Hudson, CO
- Coordinates: 40.070026, -104.639572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0700&lon=-104.6396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA330

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND TURNED ONTO THE CROSSWIND LEG. AT AN ALTITUDE OF 500 FEET, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT TURNED TOWARDS AN OPEN FIELD AND MANAGED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT IT LOST POWER AGAIN. THE PILOT REALIZED HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO LAND IN HIS CHOSEN FIELD. THE AIRPLANE 'TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND BOUNCED' OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE LANDING GEAR WAS TORN OFF AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED ON ITS FUSELAGE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH RAILROAD TRACKS. THE ENGINE AND ACCESSORIES WERE LATER EXAMINED. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

## Factual narrative

On August 6, 1995, approximately 1143 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7415W, was destroyed during a forced landing at Hudson, Colorado.  The private pilot received minor injuries.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  The pilot took off and turned onto the crosswind leg.  At an altitude of 500 feet, the engine lost power.  The pilot turned towards an open field and managed to restart the engine, but it lost power again.  The pilot realized he would be unable to land in his chosen field.  The airplane "touched down hard and bounced" over an embankment.  The landing gear was torn off and the airplane skidded on its fuselage before colliding with railroad tracks.

The engine and accessories were later examined.  No discrepancies were found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7415W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7415W-1998-03-25), registration cancelled 1998-03-25, S/N 281303 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1303
- Airframe hours: 2722
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald E. & Janet I. Coe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 1994, 149 hours before
- Departed: 18V
- Destination: GXY, GREELEY, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 185 total, 159 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GXY, 20 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 19950806022069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950806022069A), Aug 6, 1995: Piper PA28180, Hudson, CO, Destroyed. Turning upwind engine quit started and quit again. Landed hard bounced over embankment on railroad. Cause unknown.

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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