NTSB Identification: DEN87FA110.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 34163.
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 21, 1987 in CRAIG, CO
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/08/1988
Aircraft: PIPER PA-23, registration: N3231P
Injuries: 2 Serious.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE PLT AND HIS WIFE WERE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLT TO VISIT RELATIVES IN NORTH CAROLINA. SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DEPART CRAIG-MOFFET AIRPORT WITH THE ENGINE(S) RUNNING ROUGH AND USING ALMOST THE ENTIRE RUNWAY TO GET AIRBORNE. ONCE AIRBORNE THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO GAIN ATTITUDE, STRUCK SOME TREES, AND CRASHED INTO AN IRRIGATION DITCH. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A WORN ENGINE WITH DEFICIENT SPARK PLUGS.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
ENGINE ASSEMBLY..WORN
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
IGNITION SYSTEM,SPARK PLUG..FAILURE,TOTAL
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
IGNITION SYSTEM,SPARK PLUG..FAILURE,PARTIAL
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
WEATHER CONDITION..HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
Contributing Factors
OBJECT..TREE(S)
Contributing Factors
MAINTENANCE,OVERHAUL..NOT PERFORMED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
MAINTENANCE,RECORDKEEPING..POOR..PILOT IN COMMAND
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