Piper PA-28R-180 N7444J

Summary

On 18 June 2013 at about 17:30 local time, a Piper PA-28R-180 registered N7444J, operated by Charles D and Barbara K Hass and Kristen E Collins, was involved in an accident near Durango, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 June 2013 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Durango, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Durango - la Plata County (DRO)

Coordinates

37.1514, -107.7536

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-180

Registration

N7444J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Charles D and Barbara K Hass and Kristen E Collins

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Durango → Tyler

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13LA358

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper decision to take off with a tailwind at a high-density altitude, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to maintain the initial climb rate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, in accordance with operating procedures, he leaned the engine's fuel-air mixture before takeoff to compensate for the high-density altitude (the departure airport had a density altitude of 9,355 feet). During takeoff, the airplane accelerated to 80 mph, lifted off the runway, and climbed to about 100 feet above ground level. The pilot stated that the airplane seemed "sluggish" and that it stopped climbing. The airplane rapidly descended, the pilot made a controlled landing off the departure end of the runway, and the airplane's wings were substantially damaged when they struck several approach lights. Fuel was found on board, and it was not contaminated. The examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An engine ground run was conducted, and the engine developed full power. The runway length was sufficient for a safe take off. The high-density altitude and the tailwind likely contributed to airplane's reduced performance.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.