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August 16, 1982 · Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20 · N3072Z
15Mi. Ne Of Chr, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
15Mi. Ne Of Chr, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail Number
N3072Z
Operator
Robert C Herschman
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN82DA174
WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THERE WAS A TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE PILOT LANDED IN A SMALL CLEARING, BUT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR HIT A LARGE ROCK. THE GEAR FAILED AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED NEAR THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER STOPPING, HE SAW A TRAIL OF FLAME ABOUT 8 INCHES WIDE HEADING TOWARD THE PLANE. HE STATED THAT HE JUMPED OUT OVER THE WING AND DOWN THE CLIFF, THEN A FEW MOMENTS LATER THERE WERE 2 LOUD EXPLOSIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. THE PILOT STAYED WITH THE PLANE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY, THEN ELECTED TO WALK OUT. HE REPORTED BECOMING DISORIENTED AND SPENT 3 DAYS IN THE MOUNTAINS BEFORE REACHING HELP. THE PLANE CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 9500 FT.
Full Narrative
WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THERE WAS A TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE PILOT LANDED IN A SMALL CLEARING, BUT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR HIT A LARGE ROCK. THE GEAR FAILED AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED NEAR THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER STOPPING, HE SAW A TRAIL OF FLAME ABOUT 8 INCHES WIDE HEADING TOWARD THE PLANE. HE STATED THAT HE JUMPED OUT OVER THE WING AND DOWN THE CLIFF, THEN A FEW MOMENTS LATER THERE WERE 2 LOUD EXPLOSIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. THE PILOT STAYED WITH THE PLANE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY, THEN ELECTED TO WALK OUT. HE REPORTED BECOMING DISORIENTED AND SPENT 3 DAYS IN THE MOUNTAINS BEFORE REACHING HELP. THE PLANE CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 9500 FT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail NumberN3072Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert C Herschman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C
Altimeter0