# NTSB FTW97LA125: Piper PA-28R-201T, N38703, Hartsel, CO, March 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 1997, 18:15 local (Mar 16, 1997, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Hartsel, CO - Coordinates: 39.020881, -105.800201 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0209&lon=-105.8002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20172/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudging the proper touchdown point on the dirt road due to excessive airspeed and his failure to deploy flaps. Factors were the partial loss of engine lubricating oil due to the oil filler cap separating because some unknown person failed to properly secure it, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal - lubricating system,oil filler cap - separation (contributing factor) - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, unknown (contributing factor) - fluid,oil - loss,partial (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, landing - roll - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence ## Analysis While in cruise flight, the pilot noticed oil on the windshield. He decided to make a forced landing on a dirt road. He said his approach speed was 10 knots higher than normal 'to avoid obstructions,' and he did not use flaps 'because I would not have made it to the road.' The pilot soon realized he was going too fast and would overshoot the road, so he turned towards an adjoining field. He maneuvered the airplane over a buffalo herd and landed. During the landing roll the airplane collided with a fence, rupturing the right wing fuel tank. It was discovered the oil filler cap was missing. The pilot said he checked the oil during preflight and it was 'about one-third down from the top' (about 6 quarts; capacity is 8 quarts). The oil filler cap 'was easily visible and in place,' but he did not physically check it for security. The oil filler cap was eventually located in a recess atop the right bank of cylinders where it had fallen. When the engine was later examined, 3 quarts of oil remained in the crankcase. ## Factual narrative On March 15, 1997, at 1815 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-201T, N38703, was destroyed when it struck a fence during a forced landing near Hartsel, Colorado. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated at Watkins, Colorado, approximately 1800. The following is based on telephone conversations with, and the written accident report submitted by, the pilot. He said it was shortly after sunset and he was in cruise flight at 16,500 feet msl when oil began to appear on the windshield. He retarded the throttle to idle, then slowly added some power. He did not notice "any substantial response" from the engine, but did observe more oil on the windshield. He slowed the airplane to 100 knots, then determined that the nearest airport, Buena Vista, was about 21 miles away. He did not believe he would be able to fly to Buena Vista, and elected to land on a dirt road. He said approach speed was 10 knots higher than normal "to avoid obstructions," and he did not use flaps "because I would not have made it to the road." He soon realized, however, that he was going too fast and would overshoot the road, so he turned towards an adjoining field. He maneuvered the airplane over a herd of buffalo and touched down. During the landing roll the airplane struck a fence, rupturing the right wing fuel tank. Fire department personnel later discovered the oil filler cap was missing. The airplane was examined at Beegles Aircraft Service in Greeley, Colorado. The access panel was opened and the dipstick was removed. It registered 3 quarts of oil. The pilot said he "thoroughly preflighted the airplane" and checked the oil. The oil level was "about one-third down from the top" (about 6 quarts; capacity is 8 quarts). The oil filler cap is located next to and behind the dipstick. The pilot said the oil filler cap "was easily visible and in place," but he did not physically check it for security. The oil filler cap was eventually located in a recess atop the right bank of cylinders where it had fallen. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38703](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38703), registered now, S/N 28R-7703261, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7703261 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-SF 200 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flight Training Center - Registered owner: Quarter Moon Aviation Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FTG, WATKINS, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 155 total, 4 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F ## 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 19970316003169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970316003169A), Mar 16, 1997: Piper PA28R201T, Hartsel, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced engine trouble, landed in a field near highway, hit a fence. Damaged wings and fuel tank. 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.