# NTSB FTW97LA230: Piper PA-32-300T, N8056Y, Del Norte, CO, June 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1997, 12:38 local (18:38 UTC) - Place: Del Norte, CO - Coordinates: 37.669734, -106.350524 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6697&lon=-106.3505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20248 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20248/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA230 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain proper runway alignment. Factors were his attention being diverted by a rough running engine because the fuel injectors were partially blocked. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fuel system,injector - blocked(partial) (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot said that during his decent into Del Norte, Colorado, the engine began running rough 'with almost a total loss of power.' Although the engine continued to operate, attempts to restore full power were unsuccessful. The pilot said that his attention was diverted by the rough running engine, and he inadvertently allowed the airplane to touch down with the nose and right main landing gear on the runway and the left main landing gear on the runway shoulder. When he attempted to return the airplane to the runway, the left main landing gear struck the lip of a taxiway and collapsed. Postaccident examination of the engine disclosed the fuel injector nozzles were partially blocked by a gummy residue. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1997, at 1238 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300T, N8056Y, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during landing at Del Norte, Colorado. The private pilot, the only occupant aboard, 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 from Durango, Colorado, approximately 1130. The pilot was interviewed by telephone by the NTSB investigator in charge shortly after the accident. He said the engine began running rough on his descent into Del Norte. He switched fuel tanks, but this had no positive effect. The first landing approach to runway 26 was high and fast, and he elected to make a go around. His second landing approach was "more stabilized," but his attention was diverted by the rough running engine. When the airplane touched down, the nose and right main landing gear were on the runway but the left main landing gear was on the runway shoulder. When the pilot returned the airplane to the runway, the left main landing gear struck the lip of a taxiway and was torn off. The airplane came to a halt on its left wing. In the pilot's written accident report, he said the engine began running rough "with almost a total loss of power" while the airplane was descending on the downwind leg. He made no reference to the balked landing attempt. After establishing the best glide profile, he enriched the mixture, verified the fuel pump was on, and switched fuel tanks. With no noticeable power improvement, the pilot opened the alternate air door and leaned the mixture. During the landing roll, the airplane struck "the lip of a newly poured asphalt taxiway leading off the runway," collapsing the left main landing gear. The engine was examined at Mountain View Airmotive, Inc., a repair facility in Alamosa, Colorado. It was discovered the fuel injector nozzles were partially blocked by a gummy residue. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8056Y (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300T - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 328224004 - Airframe hours: 2458 - Engines: Lycoming TI0-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: William L. Gray - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1996, 281 hours before - Departed: DRO, DURANGO, CO - Destination: 8V1 - Airport: 8V1, Del Norte, runway 26, 3,775 × 49 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 791 total, 703 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ALA, 29 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 19970618047819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970618047819A), Jun 18, 1997: Piper PA32300T, Delnorte, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) On 06-18-97 at 1238 MDT a PA-32-300RT, N8056Y was substantially damaged at the del norte airport del norte, CO. The private pilot william l. gray was… 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.