Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On July 11, 2014, about 1915 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 single engine airplane, N91106, was substantially damaged during landing at Van Treese Airport (0CO9), Monte Vista, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to Van Treese Farms, Inc.; and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had departed from Pagosa Springs Airport (PSO), Pagosa Springs, Colorado, at 1820, and was destined for 0CO9. There was equipment obstructing the 2,600 foot long dirt runway at midfield and the pilot was making a shallow approach to land on the eastern half of the shortened runway while pointed to the west almost directly into the setting sun. When the airplane was about 100 feet east from the end of the runway the main landing gear impacted a two-foot tall green barley crop which slowed the airplane. The pilot began a go-around maneuver, but was unable to maintain flying speed. The airplane stalled and impacted terrain on the edge of the runway, coming to rest inverted with resulting substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the vertical tail surfaces. There was no postimpact fire and the pilot was able to exit the airplane without assistance.

The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He added that he should have used a steeper approach to land, and should have maintained clearance from the barley crop obstructions in the final approach path. He added that he should have considered using a longer runway at a nearby airport, or considered using a different runway that was not oriented directly into the glare of the setting sun. The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angleofattack during a go-around following impact with a barley crop, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct a shallow approach with the airplane facing directly into the setting sun, which resulted in sun glare.