# NTSB SEA92FA077: Piper PA-28R-201T, N2742M, Briggsdale, CO, April 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1992, 18:30 local (Apr 14, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Briggsdale, CO
- Coordinates: 40.630245, -104.320747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6302&lon=-104.3207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41574/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA077

## Probable cause

PROPER ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED.  FACTORS INCLUDE OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - open field
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-28R CRASHED ON A LOW HILL WHILE THE PILOT WAS ENGAGED IN LOW FLYING ACTIVITIES.  THE AIRCRAFT HIT WITH WINGS LEVEL, BOUNCED INTO THE AIR AND THEN CRASHED INVERTED.  ACCORDING TO PASSENGER STATEMENTS, THE PILOT HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN PITCH-OVER MANEUVERS AND FLYING AT EXCESSIVELY LOW ALTITUDES BEFORE THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2742M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2742M-1992-09-04), registration cancelled 1992-09-04, S/N 28R7803141 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7803141
- Airframe hours: 2289
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Northern Colorado Air Chrtr
- Registered owner: Elton D. Millikin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 12, 1992, 32 hours before
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Destination: FNL, LOVELAND, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 133 total, 14 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GXY, 22 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 19920413009979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920413009979A), Apr 13, 1992: Piper PA28R201T, Briggsdale, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pitch over maneuvers at low altitude. Impacted ground wings level bounced into air. Landed inverted.

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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