Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 5, 2014, at 1543 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Piper model PA-25-235 airplane, N4519Y, was destroyed when it collided with a residential structure and caught fire in Northglenn, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured. The banner-tow airplane, registered to Airspeed Enterprises LLC and operated by Drag 'N' Fly Banners, was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed from Platte Valley Airpark (18V), Hudson, Colorado, about 1500.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the banner-tow flight was to orbit Coors Field, located in downtown Denver, Colorado, with an advertisement billboard that measured about 55 ft long by 30 ft tall. He stated that there were no anomalies identified with the airplane during his preflight inspection and that he held a briefing with his ground support team before departing. After takeoff, he entered the traffic pattern and retrieved the banner at 1505. After retrieving the banner, he proceeded west, staying below the Class B airspace, toward Interstate I-25 where he turned southbound toward downtown Denver and Coors Field. The pilot reported that while en route the airplane did not perform as expected, with little to no climb performance, but the engine appeared to be operating without any anomalies. He stated that the airplane was at 6,100 ft mean sea level (msl), about 700 ft above ground level (agl), when he decided to enter a right 180-degree turn and return to the departure airport. He subsequently released the banner after the airplane developed an excessive descent rate during the turn. The pilot reported that the airplane accelerated slightly after he released the banner; however, it remained near the aerodynamic stall and, about 10-15 seconds after he released the banner, the airplane encountered a stall/spin at a low altitude. The airplane descended, inverted, into a house located within a residential area. Following the accident, the pilot was able to release his restraints and exit the airplane uninjured. A postaccident fire destroyed the airplane and significantly damaged the house. There were no reports of ground injuries.

According to available air traffic control (ATC) data, radar contact was established with the accident airplane at 1515:10 (hhmm:ss) about 6.6 nautical miles (nm) west of the departure airport at 5,500 ft msl (600 ft agl). The airplane proceeded on a westerly course while it climbed to 5,700 ft msl (700 ft agl). At 1522:23, as the airplane approached Interstate I-25, the airplane entered a left 90-degree turn toward south. The airplane descended to 5,400 ft msl (300 ft agl) during the left turn toward south.

The airplane continued south for about 1.5 nm before it began a climbing 360-degree left turn. At 1526:18, the airplane had climbed to 5,700 ft msl (600 ft agl) and continued southbound toward downtown Denver while maintaining a cour