Piper PA-24-250 N6815P

Summary

On 30 October 1991 at about 21:27 local time, a Piper PA-24-250 registered N6815P, operated by Southwest Aircraft Recovery, was involved in an accident near Ellicott, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 October 1991 at 21:27

Classification

Accident

Location

Ellicott, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

39.0295, -104.4806

Aircraft

Piper PA-24-250

Registration

N6815P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Southwest Aircraft Recovery

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ellicott → Chandler

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN92LA006

2 people had minor injuries.

A POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH, AND EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED. FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO IMC, ACCUMULATION OF WING ICE AND HIS BECOMING LOST DISORIENTED.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER HE OBSERVED ICE ON THE WING. HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD. ON THE DOWNWIND LEG, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE ROAD AT 120 MPH AND THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE SLID THROUGH A FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A HALT. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED. THE PILOT, WHO IS ALSO AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS BUT SUSPECTED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH BY PERSON(S) HE REFUSED TO NAME.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.