1991-08-10: Piper PA-32-300 — John J. Wilda — Colorado Spring, CO

Casualties unknown • Colorado Spring, CO, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT EXCEEDED WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS. FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE COMMERCIAL RATED PILOT AND HIS FIVE PASSENGERS DEPARTED COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, ON A PROPOSED CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO ALABAMA. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO 150 FEET VERY SLOWLY AND THEN LEVEL OFF. THE PILOT SAID IN A POSTACCIDENT INTERVIEW THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLIMB OR ACCELERATE NORMALLY. HE SAID AS THE AIRSPEED DETERIORATED, HE WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT WAS 311 POUNDS OVER MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 7,500 FEET.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-08-10 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Colorado Spring, CO?

THE COMMERCIAL RATED PILOT AND HIS FIVE PASSENGERS DEPARTED COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, ON A PROPOSED CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO ALABAMA. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO 150 FEET VERY SLOWLY AND THEN LEVEL OFF. THE PILOT SAID IN A POSTACCIDENT INTERVIEW THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLIMB OR ACCELERATE NORMALLY. HE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-08-10 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N44641, operated by John J. Wilda, at Colorado Spring, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT EXCEEDED WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS. FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17840. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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