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August 17, 1987 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N7494J
Steamboat Sprin, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Steamboat Sprin, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N7494J
Operator
Clipper Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN87LA221
N7494J TOOK OFF FROM A HIGH ALT ARPT AND CLIMBED IN THE VIC OF THE ARPT TO 9500 FEET BEFORE PROCEEDING ON COURSE. UPON APPROACHING HIGH TERRAIN THE PLT REALIZED HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALT TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN AND WAS IN A VALLEY TOO NARROW TO TURN AROUND. HE WAS HOLDING THE OVERRIDE TO DEACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC LANDING GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURB AND HIS HAND CAME OFF THE OVERRIDE. THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED AND THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED. AT THAT POINT THE PLT DECIDED AN OFF ARPT FORCED LANDING WAS NECESSARY AND SELECTED A MOUNTAIN MEADOW. DURING THE LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.
Full Narrative
N7494J TOOK OFF FROM A HIGH ALT ARPT AND CLIMBED IN THE VIC OF THE ARPT TO 9500 FEET BEFORE PROCEEDING ON COURSE. UPON APPROACHING HIGH TERRAIN THE PLT REALIZED HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALT TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN AND WAS IN A VALLEY TOO NARROW TO TURN AROUND. HE WAS HOLDING THE OVERRIDE TO DEACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC LANDING GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURB AND HIS HAND CAME OFF THE OVERRIDE. THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED AND THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED. AT THAT POINT THE PLT DECIDED AN OFF ARPT FORCED LANDING WAS NECESSARY AND SELECTED A MOUNTAIN MEADOW. DURING THE LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:20 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN7494J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClipper Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO