Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On August 6, 1995, at 1444 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 180, N7980W, was substantially damaged during landing at Englewood, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Fort Collins, Colorado, approximately 1330.

The following is based on the Pilot/Operator Report. The pilot made a full flap landing in crosswind conditions. When the airplane touched down on runway 35L, it veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the diversion and the airplane veered hard to the left. He attempted to correct this diversion, but the airplane did not respond. The airplane exited the side of the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the wing was damaged. The pilot reported the winds were from 310 degrees at 8 to 10 knots.

The pilot later told the operator that he had experienced brake problems; no brake discrepancies were found by the operator. One witness reported seeing the airplane porpoise before departing the runway. The operator reported he examined skid marks left on the runway and saw no evidence of porpoising. His examination did disclose marks consistent with the nose wheel not being aligned with the direction of travel. FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.