# NTSB FTW97LA129: Piper PA-28-140B, N98150, Fort Collins, CO, March 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 1997, 07:09 local (14:09 UTC) - Place: Fort Collins, CO - Coordinates: 40.650695, -105.029983 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6507&lon=-105.0300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20174 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20174/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA129 ## Probable cause a total loss of power for reasons undetermined. A factor was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - pole - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine lost power shortly after takeoff and the pilot made a forced landing. The engine was later functionally tested and it operated normally. After disassembling the carburetor, the accelerator pump was found to function normally, and the metal float moved freely. There was no evidence that the float may have shifted and was binding against the housing. There were no obstructions in the one-piece venturi. The pilot said he was thoroughly familiar with the operation of the fuel selector. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 1997, at 0709 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-140B, N98150, operated by Bob Gates Aviation and doing business as The Pilot Center, was substantially damaged when it struck a post during an emergency landing at Fort Collins, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Fort Collins-Fort Collins Downtown Airpark minutes before the accident. The pilot said that shortly after taking off from runway 11, the engine lost power. He "pumped the throttle" and the "engine sputtered twice and quit again." The pilot then made a emergency landing 1 mile south of the airport in the Prospect Ponds Natural Wildlife Area. During the landing roll, the pilot was able to avoid a concrete picnic table but the left wing struck a trail marker post, shearing off and driving the landing gear through the wing. According to the operator, the engine was functionally tested later that day and it operated normally. They carburetor was disassembled and inspected the following morning. The accelerator pump operated normally, and the metal float moved freely. There was no evidence that the float may have shifted and was binding against the housing. There were no obstructions in the one-piece venturi. The pilot said he had experience in the Piper PA-28-180, but had very few hours in the PA-28-140. Fuel selector operation on both types of airplanes is identical. The pilot said he was thoroughly familiar with properly selecting a fuel tank with the fuel selector. The pilot said he leaned the mixture at 1,800 rpm (revolutions per minute) prior to takeoff. According to Textron Lycoming, the mixture should be leaned at full (takeoff) power. If the mixture is leaned at a lower power setting, the mixture will enrich as power is applied. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98150](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98150), registered now, S/N 28-26075, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140B - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-26075 - Airframe hours: 4799 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bob Gates Aviation, doing business as The Pilot Center - Registered owner: John E. Askeland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1997, 2 hours before - Departed: 3V5, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 583 total, 501 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNL, 8 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 19970319048009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970319048009A), Mar 19, 1997: Piper PA28140, Fortcollins, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot stated that shortly after takeoff the engine lost power, he said he turned on boost pump and checked tank selector and mixture to rich engine did… 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.