N8641W

Substantial
None

PIPER PA28S/N: 28-10158

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
NTSB Number
GAA19CA471
Location
Falcon, CO
Event ID
20190731X80756
Coordinates
38.943611, -104.570274
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path and his delayed decision to go around, which resulted in impact with a construction barrier before the runway. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land on a runway closed for landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N8641W
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
28-10158
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1963
Model / ICAO
PA28P28A
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
KLAPP JOHN H
Address
18417 GREGS POND LN
Status
Deregistered
City
MONUMENT
State / Zip Code
CO 80132-8837
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that the main runway was closed at the high-altitude destination airport, so he planned to make a short-field landing on a perpendicular 2,084 ft runway. During landing, the airplane "ended up short.,." and he attempted to go around, but he did not add power fast enough. The airplane impacted a construction barrier near the runway threshold and the left main landing gear separated.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 150° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 08.

Archived Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for the date of the accident stated that:

RWY 15/33 CLSD

RWY 08 CLSD TO LDG

RWY 26 CLSD EXC FSL

The airport manager reported that runway 15/33 was closed due to construction and they issued a NOTAM with the intention that pilots could take off on runway 8 and land on runway 26 to avoid construction equipment. He added that airport management had no issues if pilots landed on runway 8, as long as the landing facilitated a headwind and construction equipment was avoided. He reported that the NOTAM for runway 26 meant "closed except full stop landing."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA471