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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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April 1, 1983 · Piper PA-32-300 · N4005W

Castle Rock, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 1, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Castle Rock, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N4005W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN83FA089

THE PILOT MADE TWO ENROUTE STOPS AT PLACES OTHER THAN PLANNED BECAUSE HE WAS CONFUSED AND DISORIENTED. WHEN HE COULD NOTGET A SECTIONAL CHART HE WANTED HE TOOKOFF WITHOUT IT AFTER ONE OF THESE LANDINGS. AFTER THE SECOND LANDING HE TOOK OFF IGNORING A RED LIGHT FROM THE TOWER. HE LISTENED TO A WEATHER REPORT ON THE ACFT RADIO AND EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER WAS DETERIORATING HE CONTINUED ON TRYING TO MAINTAIN VFR. UNAWARE OF THE HIGH TERRAIN BETWEEN COLORADO SPRINGS AND DENVER AND SEEING LIGHTS TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT THE PILOT THOUGHT HE WAS IN A VALLEY AND FLEW INTO A RIDGE SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. LOCAL RESIDENTS SAID THERE WAS STRONG WINDS, BLOWING SNOW, AND LOW VISIBILITY AT THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT MADE TWO ENROUTE STOPS AT PLACES OTHER THAN PLANNED BECAUSE HE WAS CONFUSED AND DISORIENTED. WHEN HE COULD NOTGET A SECTIONAL CHART HE WANTED HE TOOKOFF WITHOUT IT AFTER ONE OF THESE LANDINGS. AFTER THE SECOND LANDING HE TOOK OFF IGNORING A RED LIGHT FROM THE TOWER. HE LISTENED TO A WEATHER REPORT ON THE ACFT RADIO AND EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER WAS DETERIORATING HE CONTINUED ON TRYING TO MAINTAIN VFR. UNAWARE OF THE HIGH TERRAIN BETWEEN COLORADO SPRINGS AND DENVER AND SEEING LIGHTS TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT THE PILOT THOUGHT HE WAS IN A VALLEY AND FLEW INTO A RIDGE SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. LOCAL RESIDENTS SAID THERE WAS STRONG WINDS, BLOWING SNOW, AND LOW VISIBILITY AT THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN4005W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind270° @ 30 kt, gusting 50 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data