# NTSB FTW97LA061: Piper PA-24-400, N8450P, Broomfield, CO, December 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 10, 1996, 13:26 local (20:26 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Coordinates: 39.940093, -105.059143 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9401&lon=-105.0591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20126/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA061 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain proper alignment with the runway, while landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the variable/gusty wind condition with possible windshear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - object - vasi light/system - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis According to the pilot, the wind was variable from 230 to 270 degrees at 25 to 35 knots, although the ATIS reported the wind was from 260 degrees at 20 gusting 30 knots. Due to the wind condition (with moderate turbulence), the pilot decided to land 'a little long and 10 knots fast with no flaps.' As he flared for landing, the airplane 'gusted up, then down, with left wing high and strongly to the right.' The airplane struck two VASI light structures, while airborne. After the pilot realigned the airplane with the runway, he landed and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. Airport officials later reported three runway signs and four runway lights damaged. ## Factual narrative On December 10, 1996, at 1326 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-24-400, N8450P, owned and operated by Altob, Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with taxiway signs and runway lights during landing at Broomfield, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the business flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Lamar, Colorado, on December 10, 1996, at 1201. According to the pilot's accident report, ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) Information X-ray reported the wind to be from 260 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots. The pilot said that due to moderate turbulence he was experiencing, he decided to land "a little long and 10 knots fast with no flaps." As he flared for landing, the airplane "suddenly gusted up, then down, with left wing high and strongly to the right." He corrected with full left rudder and full power, but the airplane did not respond. The right landing gear struck a VARSI (sic) tower, then collided with a second VARSI structure. The pilot said he regained control and was able to align the airplane with the runway centerline at an altitude of 10 to 15 feet. He "rejected (the) impulse to 'go around'" and landed, holding the nose up with full up elevator "to minimize engine damage if (nose) gear (was) gone." As the nose was lowered, the airplane departed the right side of the runway. Jeffco Airport officials reported three runway signs and four runway lights were damaged. The pilot also enclosed a hand-written transcript of his radio communications with the control tower, and a diagram of wind directions and velocities recorded at various times during the approach and landing. At 1325:57, the wind was from 270 degrees at 35 knots. Forty-five seconds later, at 1326:42, the wind was from 230 degrees at 25 knots. The pilot said this difference of 40 degrees and 10 knots was "evidence of wind shear almost exactly as landing flair commenced," and that it felt like "a sudden quartering tail wind from the left, leaving no rudder authority." In his accident report, the pilot indicated his last biennial flight review was in 1989. No exact date was given. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8450P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8450P), registered now, S/N 26-26, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-400 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26-26 - Airframe hours: 4877 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: James R. Chado - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1995, 111 hours before - Departed: LAA, LAMAR, CO - Destination: BJC - Airport: BJC, Jefferson County, runway 29R, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,700 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC ## 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 19961210047559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961210047559A), Dec 10, 1996: Piper PA24400, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) [privacy data omitted] a/c xponder operated beyond 24 mos. Calibration FAR 91.413(a). ## Other investigations on N8450P (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI66D0694](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66D0694), Apr 17, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N8450P), Swanton, OH, substantial damage 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.