Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On September 3, 2004, at approximately 0945 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N7030K, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing on a grass strip 20 miles north of Hayden, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The local flight originated at approximately 0930.

According to the FAA inspector, the pilot was attempting to land on a grass strip when he "encountered a strong crosswind." The pilot noted on his accident report form that he landed on a heading of 090. The airplane nosed over, wrinkling the firewall, bending both wings and crushing the vertical stabilizer. Winds at Hayden, Colorado, (20 miles south of the grass strip) were from 200 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 30 knots. The pilot estimated the winds were 180 degrees at 14 knots with gusts between 20 and 25 knots. The calculated crosswind component was between 18 and 28 knots. A postaccident examination revealed no anomalies. the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing factors include the excessive crosswind component, and the gusty wind conditions.