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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 28, 1995 · Piper PA-28-181 · N5448F

Fort Collins, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N5448F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA366

DURING LANDING AT THE COMPLETION OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS UNAWARE THAT THE FIRST 4,000 FEET OF THE 8,500 FOOT LONG RUNWAY WAS CLOSED FOR REPAVING. TOUCH DOWN WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,300 FEET INTO THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHICH CONTAINED OBSTRUCTIONS. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE OBSTRUCTIONS AND CAME TO REST OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. WEATHER WAS A CLEAR, DARK NIGHT; HOWEVER, THE RUNWAY WAS PROPERLY MARKED AND NOTAMS HAD BEEN ISSUED. THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT CHECK NOTAMS FOR THE AIRPORT.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO PROPERLY PLAN HIS FLIGHT AND CHECK NOTAMS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. A FACTOR WAS OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE RUNWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE.

Full Narrative

On August 27, 1995, at 2015 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA- 28-181, N5448F, landed in a runway construction zone at Fort Collins/Loveland Airport, Fort Collins, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The accident occurred on runway 33, of which the first 4,000 feet of the 8,500 foot runway was closed for repaving. Investigation revealed the construction zone was properly marked and NOTAMs (Notice To Airmen) were on file regarding the partial closure. The pilot stated he did not check NOTAMs because he "flies to Fort Collins frequently." A copy of affecting NOTAMs and an airport diagram are attached. The pilot stated that he saw dim runway lights and what he thought was a VASI (visual approach slope indicator) as he approached runway 33. He stated that he touched down "a few hundred feet past that." Witness marks indicated the touch down point was approximately 2,300 feet into the construction zone in an area where the asphalt had been peeled and steel guide rods for the paving equipment had been driven along the centerline. These rods were approximately 25 feet apart, three quarters of an inch in diameter and protruded from the ground about 30 inches. According to the ground scar, touch down was four feet left of centerline and drifted from left to right through the centerline. The aircraft came to rest off the right side off the runway about 500 feet from the end of the construction zone and the temporary threshold lights. Damage to the aircraft consisted of slices in the lower surface of the right wing and right flap, compression damage to the outer left wing, slices in the lower cowl, a piece broken out of one propeller blade, and damage to the right main landing gear. The landing gear damage occurred when the aircraft hit a lip in the peeled asphalt. Attached is a damage diagram. During the investigation, the runway lights and VASI were checked. The VASI was off and the runway lights in the construction zone were covered and not visible at night.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 MDT
Nearest AirportFort Collins/Loveland (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length8500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN5448F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind20° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:16
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data