Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents
Learn from Colorado's accident history to fly safer in the Rockies
2310 Total Accidents
425 Fatal
816 Fatalities
1982-2026
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Serious Injury
THORNTON, Colorado
NTSB Narrative
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On September 19, 1998, at 1314 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20-180, N6028D, was destroyed during an emergency landing following a loss of power. The aircraft impacted in a field adjacent to a residential area in Thornton, Colorado. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was a banner tow operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Aurora Air Park, Watkins, Colorado, at 1300.
According to the pilot, about 14 minutes after departure while in cruise flight at 1,200 feet above ground level (agl), the engine made a loud bang, seized, and it appeared that the engine moved to the right and part of the cowling came loose.
In an interview, the pilot said that following the failure, he had limited aileron control but no pitch or yaw control. He said he guided the aircraft to an open field in a residential area.
Witness marks at the crash site provided evidence the aircraft struck trees beside a house located at the top of a hill above where the aircraft came to rest. After striking the trees, the aircraft impacted the ground in an inverted attitude and skidded to a stop. There was no fire and the pilot was removed from the aircraft by emergency response personnel and transported to medical facilities.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot held commercial pilot certificate number 324522522 issued February 3, 1984. He held ratings in airplane single and multiengine land and an instrument rating in airplanes.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a 2nd class medical certificate number EE0996624, issued March 31, 1997. There were no medical limitations.
The pilot stated he had approximately 1,500 hours total flight time and approximately 250 hours in the accident aircraft make and model.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident aircraft was originally manufactured as a PA-22-150 in 1956 and converted to a PA-20-180 in 1995. On December 1, 1995, the aircraft was certificated under the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 21.185 as a special purpose aerial advertising aircraft. The certification was for the sole purpose of this aircraft conducting aerial advertising.
According to information provided by the pilot, the airframe had a total time of 1,600 hours, 250 hours since overhaul of the engine, and 80 hours since the last inspection, which was conducted on November 1, 1997.
The engine was a Lycoming O-360-A3A, serial number L-8260-36A, and the propeller was a Sensenich part number 76EM8S5-0-60, serial number 13369K. The pilot could supply no history on the propeller.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Following the loss of engine power described above, the pilot was able to make approximately a 180-degree turn before the aircraft impacted trees and the ground. According to witness marks, following impact with trees at the top of a 50-foot hill, the aircraft travel
On September 19, 1998, at 1314 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20-180, N6028D, was destroyed during an emergency landing following a loss of power. The aircraft impacted in a field adjacent to a residential area in Thornton, Colorado. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was a banner tow operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Aurora Air Park, Watkins, Colorado, at 1300.
According to the pilot, about 14 minutes after departure while in cruise flight at 1,200 feet above ground level (agl), the engine made a loud bang, seized, and it appeared that the engine moved to the right and part of the cowling came loose.
In an interview, the pilot said that following the failure, he had limited aileron control but no pitch or yaw control. He said he guided the aircraft to an open field in a residential area.
Witness marks at the crash site provided evidence the aircraft struck trees beside a house located at the top of a hill above where the aircraft came to rest. After striking the trees, the aircraft impacted the ground in an inverted attitude and skidded to a stop. There was no fire and the pilot was removed from the aircraft by emergency response personnel and transported to medical facilities.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot held commercial pilot certificate number 324522522 issued February 3, 1984. He held ratings in airplane single and multiengine land and an instrument rating in airplanes.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a 2nd class medical certificate number EE0996624, issued March 31, 1997. There were no medical limitations.
The pilot stated he had approximately 1,500 hours total flight time and approximately 250 hours in the accident aircraft make and model.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident aircraft was originally manufactured as a PA-22-150 in 1956 and converted to a PA-20-180 in 1995. On December 1, 1995, the aircraft was certificated under the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 21.185 as a special purpose aerial advertising aircraft. The certification was for the sole purpose of this aircraft conducting aerial advertising.
According to information provided by the pilot, the airframe had a total time of 1,600 hours, 250 hours since overhaul of the engine, and 80 hours since the last inspection, which was conducted on November 1, 1997.
The engine was a Lycoming O-360-A3A, serial number L-8260-36A, and the propeller was a Sensenich part number 76EM8S5-0-60, serial number 13369K. The pilot could supply no history on the propeller.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Following the loss of engine power described above, the pilot was able to make approximately a 180-degree turn before the aircraft impacted trees and the ground. According to witness marks, following impact with trees at the top of a 50-foot hill, the aircraft travel
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Details
| NTSB Report | FTW98FA392 |
| Aircraft | Piper PA-20-180 |
| Registration | N6028D |
| Damage | DEST |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Location | 39.8591, -104.9592 |
