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Overloaded and Out-of-Balance Airplane Crashes in Mountain Valley, One Dead (N7989C)

Steamboat Spgs, CO, US

On December 29, 2002, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N7989C) was involved in an aviation accident near Steamboat Spgs, CO. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making resulting in insufficient altitude to fly over the mountain, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into tree covered mountainous terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot departed with three passengers and three dogs in an airplane with only two seats. The aircraft, modified for parachute operations, crashed into snow-covered terrain after exceeding center-of-gravity limits and flying with a tailwind. One occupant died.

Accident Overview

A pilot departed with three passengers and three dogs in an airplane that had only two seats installed. The aircraft had been reconfigured under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA00352DE for parachute jumping operations. The STC stipulated that the airplane could only be used for parachutist launching. Additionally, Title 14 CFR Part 91.107(a)(3) requires each occupant to be provided with an approved seat and seat belt for ground movement, takeoff, and landing; the fatally injured passenger was not provided with an approved seat.

Flight and Impact

The pilot flew up a heavily forested mountain valley experiencing a tailwind of 14 to 18 knots, which increased ground speed while reducing climb performance. The airplane's center of gravity was calculated to be 2.33 inches aft of allowable limitations. Due to insufficient altitude, the airplane impacted tree-covered terrain with approximately 4 feet of snow at an elevation of 9,527 feet (density altitude 10,200 feet).

Post-Crash Events

One occupant was trapped under aircraft debris for 4 to 5 hours; she died shortly after reaching the hospital. An examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies.

Operational Non-Compliance

The flight operated outside the limitations of the STC, which restricted the aircraft to parachutist launching only. Furthermore, the lack of an approved seat for all occupants violated federal regulations, and the aft center-of-gravity condition exceeded allowable limits. These factors, combined with the tailwind and high-density altitude, resulted in the aircraft's inability to clear the terrain.

Controlled flight into terrainAerodynamic stall

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-32 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Dec 2002 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Steamboat Spgs, CO?

A pilot departed with three passengers and three dogs in an airplane with only two seats. The aircraft, modified for parachute operations, crashed into snow-covered terrain after exceeding center-of-gravity limits and flying with a tailwind. One occupant died.

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Dec 2002 Piper PA-32-300 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Dec 2002 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N7989C, at Steamboat Spgs, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making resulting in insufficient altitude to fly over the mountain, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into tree covered mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the tail wind and high density altitude weather conditions, the airplane's aft center of…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030107X00026. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.