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May 5, 1989 · Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20 · N9147Y

Durango, CO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Durango, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail Number
N9147Y
Operator
Western Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA119

THE PLT SAID HE SET UP A LONG FINAL APP IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING ON RWY 19 AT ANIMAS AIRPARK. HE SAID AS HE CROSSED THE END OF THE RWY AT ABOUT 60 FT AGL HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ACFT DROPPING TO NEAR GROUND LEVEL AND DRIFTING TO THE LT TO AN AREA BESIDE THE RWY. HE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND AND DURING THE GO-AROUND THE RT WING COLLIDED WITH A WINDSOCK POLE. THE ACFT REMAINED AIRBORNE AND THE PLT FLEW TO ANOTHER NEARBY AIRPORT FOR LANDING. THE FBO AT ANIMAS AIRPARK SAID THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN TO THE WEST OF THE AIRPORT SOMETIMES RESULTS IN TURBULENCE IN THE VIC OF THE AIRPORT WHICH IS NOT PREDICTABLE OR NOTICEABLE AT GROUND LEVEL. THE ELEV OF THE AIRPORT IS 6690 FT. WITH A TEMP OF 60 F, THE DA WOULD BE 8000 FEET.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING AND INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE CROSSWIND AND TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT SAID HE SET UP A LONG FINAL APP IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING ON RWY 19 AT ANIMAS AIRPARK. HE SAID AS HE CROSSED THE END OF THE RWY AT ABOUT 60 FT AGL HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ACFT DROPPING TO NEAR GROUND LEVEL AND DRIFTING TO THE LT TO AN AREA BESIDE THE RWY. HE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND AND DURING THE GO-AROUND THE RT WING COLLIDED WITH A WINDSOCK POLE. THE ACFT REMAINED AIRBORNE AND THE PLT FLEW TO ANOTHER NEARBY AIRPORT FOR LANDING. THE FBO AT ANIMAS AIRPARK SAID THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN TO THE WEST OF THE AIRPORT SOMETIMES RESULTS IN TURBULENCE IN THE VIC OF THE AIRPORT WHICH IS NOT PREDICTABLE OR NOTICEABLE AT GROUND LEVEL. THE ELEV OF THE AIRPORT IS 6690 FT. WITH A TEMP OF 60 F, THE DA WOULD BE 8000 FEET.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 MDT
Nearest AirportAnimas Airpark (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail NumberN9147Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWestern Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 13 kt
Visibility75 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data