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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 19, 1989 · Piper PA-28-235 · N56654

Dove Creek, CO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Dove Creek, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N56654
Operator
Corlett David L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA196

THE PLT & 3 PSGRS WERE BEGINNING A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT SAID HE MADE A 'QUICK OUTSIDE CHECK' OF THE AIRPLANE THAT DID NOT INCLUDE A FUEL SUMP DRAIN. HE TAXIED ONTO RWY 1, WHICH SLOPED UPWARD TO THE NORTH. HE ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE CALM. THE PLT SAID HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF RUN 300 FT DOWN THE RUNWAY, MADE A 'RUNNING' MAGNETO CHECK, BUT HE DID NOT MAKE A CARBURETOR HEAT CHECK. HE SAID THE PLANE ONLY CLIMBED ABOUT 30 FT AGL. HE NOTICED IT WAS NOT CLIMBING AS FAST AS THE TERRAIN ROSE, SO HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD TO AVOID POWER LINES IN THE FLT PATH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING HIT THE GND & THE LANDING GEAR WAS TORN OFF. THE DOOR JAMMED, BUT A PASSERBY HELPED THE OCCUPANTS FROM THE CABIN. AN INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 8700 FT. ABOUT 37 MI WEST, THE WIND FROM 200 DEG AT 5 KTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, UPHILL SLOPING RUNWAY, FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST AND USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY, AND THE RISING TERRAIN AND OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE) BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

Full Narrative

THE PLT & 3 PSGRS WERE BEGINNING A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT SAID HE MADE A 'QUICK OUTSIDE CHECK' OF THE AIRPLANE THAT DID NOT INCLUDE A FUEL SUMP DRAIN. HE TAXIED ONTO RWY 1, WHICH SLOPED UPWARD TO THE NORTH. HE ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE CALM. THE PLT SAID HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF RUN 300 FT DOWN THE RUNWAY, MADE A 'RUNNING' MAGNETO CHECK, BUT HE DID NOT MAKE A CARBURETOR HEAT CHECK. HE SAID THE PLANE ONLY CLIMBED ABOUT 30 FT AGL. HE NOTICED IT WAS NOT CLIMBING AS FAST AS THE TERRAIN ROSE, SO HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD TO AVOID POWER LINES IN THE FLT PATH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING HIT THE GND & THE LANDING GEAR WAS TORN OFF. THE DOOR JAMMED, BUT A PASSERBY HELPED THE OCCUPANTS FROM THE CABIN. AN INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 8700 FT. ABOUT 37 MI WEST, THE WIND FROM 200 DEG AT 5 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway1
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN56654
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCorlett David L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 72 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 54
Altimeter0
Observation Time13:31
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data