Casualties unknown

2005-04-07: Piper PA-32RT-300 (N3015L) — Broomfield, CO

Broomfield, CO, US

On April 7, 2005, a Piper PA-32RT-300 (registration N3015L) was involved in an aviation accident near Broomfield, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing factor's included the quartering tailwind, and the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision making. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane was destroyed by a post-impact fire after touching down in a left wing low attitude, collapsing its landing gear, and departing the runway. Winds varied from tailwind to crosswind conditions near the time of the accident.

Witness Observations

Several witnesses observed the accident airplane. One witness reported that the airplane appeared to overshoot the runway and turn back. Another witness noted the wings rocking back and forth.

Air Traffic Control

The controller cleared the accident airplane to "make short approach runway two niner right cleared to land." The pilot acknowledged the clearance.

Accident Sequence

Review of airport surveillance video showed the airplane impacting the runway in a left wing low attitude. The left main landing gear collapsed, followed by the nose and right main landing gear. The airplane then departed the right side of the runway, slid sideways on its belly, and impacted a runway/taxiway sign. A post-impact fire ensued, destroying the airplane.

Weather Information

At 1225, the automated surface observation system (ASOS) reported wind from 140 degrees at 7 knots. The Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) Quebec indicated wind from 160 degrees at 7 knots. A Lidar system reflected winds from 110 degrees at 6 knots with occasional small gusts to 11 knots. During the scan at the time of the accident, a small gust of 11 knots appeared over the landing threshold. Winds in the touchdown zone at the time of the accident were around 6 knots. Winds recorded from 1.5 hours prior varied from 120 to 140 degrees, 3 to 5 knots with gusts to 11 knots. According to Lidar and METAR data, the wind varied from a direct tailwind at 6 to 11 knots to a 60-degree quartering tailwind from the left at 7 knots; the tailwind component was approximately 4 knots and the crosswind approximately 6 knots.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050412X00440. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.