Piper PA-30 N37P

Summary

On 28 September 1996 at about 11:35 local time, a Piper PA-30 registered N37P was involved in an accident near Watkins, Colorado, United States. 3 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

28 September 1996 at 11:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Watkins, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Front Range (FTG)

Coordinates

39.7498, -104.5997

Aircraft

Piper PA-30

Registration

N37P

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Sacramento

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

FTW96LA403

2 people had minor injuries.

the pilot-in-command's failure to use proper procedures and engage the turbochargers for takeoff from a high altitude airport. A factor was the high density altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While taking off on a cross-country flight, the aircraft became airborne but would neither climb nor accelerate. The aircraft weight was 3,670 pounds, which was approximately 100 pounds below maximum. The density altitude was 6,000 feet msl. The aircraft was equipped with manual turbochargers which were not being used. According to the operating instruction for the aircraft, the turbochargers should be used for high altitude takeoff to obtain the desired manifold pressure of 29.5 inches at 2,700 rpm. The engines were capable of producing only 23.5 inches of manifold pressure without the turbochargers engaged and this power was insufficient for climb at the weight and speed used.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.